By Salihu Pirkusu, Maiduguri
There was heavy political maneuvering in Borno State at the weekend as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) cleared candidates for nine House of Representatives seats, leaving the fate of the Askira-Uba/Hawul Federal Constituency hanging in the balance.
While thousands of party faithful celebrated peaceful affirmations and big wins in Maiduguri, Biu, and other localities, a major internal crisis erupted in the Askira-Uba/Hawul axis.
A petition filed by an aggrieved frontline aspirant, Comrade Audu Garba Zali, practically forced the APC National Assembly Primary Election Committee to withhold the results, rendering the entire constituency exercise inconclusive.
Briefing newsmen in Maiduguri on Sunday, the Chairman and Returning Officer of the 7-man committee deployed from Abuja, Prophet Jones Ode Erue, confirmed that the party had to halt everything concerning Askira-Uba/Hawul to avoid an escalation of crisis. He noted that the committee would hand over the matter to the APC Appeals Committee before any winner can be announced to the public.
Prophet Erue said: “The House of Representatives primary elections were successfully conducted and concluded across nine out of ten federal constituencies in a peaceful, transparent, orderly, and highly commendable manner. However, at the Askira-Uba/Hawul Federal Constituency, complaints were received from one of the aspirants, Comrade Audu Garba Zali.
“Therefore, our committee shall wait for the report of the Appeals Committee before results are announced.”
Outside the troubled constituency, it was a smooth sail for several political heavyweights who used the consensus option and direct primaries to crush any opposition.
The certified breakdown of the successful outcomes shows that Hon. (Engr.) Bukar Talba emerged unopposed for the Marte/Monguno/Nganzai constituency, a feat matched by the political powerhouse of Southern Borno, Hon. Muktar Betara Aliyu, who sailed through completely unopposed for the Biu/Bayo/Kwaya/Shani federal seat amid wild cheers from delegates.
Five other constituencies successfully produced party flagbearers through consensus arrangements after intense stakeholder meetings. They are Hon. Fati Kakenna Alkali Monguno for Mobbar/Guzama/Abadam/Kukawa; Hon. Usman Zana for Magumeri/Kaga/Gubio; Dr. Kaumi Umara Zulum (younger brother to Governor Babagana Zulum) for Dikwa/Konduga/Mafa; Hon. Ahmed Usman Jaha for Gwoza/Chibok/Damboa; and Hon. (Engr.) Satomi Ahmed for Jere.
However, it was a battle of numbers in two constituencies where direct primaries were deployed. In the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC), Hon. Abdulkadir Rahis proved his political stamina by polling a whopping 38,576 votes to claim the ticket, while Mustapha Abdullahi cleared the Bama/Ngala/Kala Balge ticket after scoring 20,509 votes.
Despite the Askira-Uba/Hawul deadlock, the primary election committee insisted that the overall exercise was a transparent, free, and fair show of internal democracy that conformed strictly with the Electoral Act and the APC guidelines. All eyes are now on the party’s national leadership in Abuja to resolve the sole outstanding Borno seat.
The briefing was attended by the Deputy National Chairman (North), Hon Ali Bukar Dalori, the State APC Chairman, Hon. Bello Ayuba, members of Electoral Committee among other party bigwigs.
