By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) have chosen their candidates through consensus ahead of the August 15th nationwide by-elections, with focus on the Garki/Babura Federal Constituency in Jigawa State.
The by-election was necessitated by the death of Hon. Isah Dogon Yaro, who represented the constituency until his passing on May 9, 2024. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has since fixed August 16, 2025, for the by-election.
Both parties conducted separate affirmation primaries on Saturday in Babura Town, the headquarters of the Garki/Babura Federal Constituency.
For the APC, Alhaji Rabi’u Mukhtar Garki emerged as the consensus candidate, securing all 110 votes cast by accredited delegates during the party’s primary. The chairman of the APC Primary Election Committee from the party’s national secretariat, Hon. Ismaila Ahmad Gadaka, declared the process peaceful, free, and fair, confirming that all constitutional requirements of the party were met.
Also speaking, the APC State Chairman, Hon. Aminu Sani Gumel, expressed confidence in the party’s chances in the upcoming poll. He commended the peaceful conduct of the exercise and pledged that the party would campaign vigorously across all 22 political wards in the constituency. He assured constituents that the APC candidate, if elected, would uphold the values and development agenda of both the party and Governor Malam Umar Namadi’s administration.
Similarly, the NNPP also held its primary in Babura, where Hon. Salisu Sabo emerged unopposed, scoring all 114 votes cast. The exercise was supervised by Hon. Muhammad Sunusi Gako, the returning officer for the NNPP.
In his acceptance speech, Hon. Salisu Sabo expressed gratitude to party members and promised to prioritize the needs of the constituency, particularly in the area of education. He urged voters to support candidates based on merit and not be swayed by monetary or material inducements.
“Collect whatever anyone gives you, but vote based on merit. Do not sell your future,” he advised.
The Garki/Babura by-election is shaping up as a contest between the ruling APC and the resurgent NNPP in Jigawa State. Both parties have begun grassroots mobilization to win the support of the electorate ahead of the poll.