Primaries: APC sparks reactions as three powerful Zamfara incumbent senators clinch party tickets in decisive victory

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared Senators Abdulaziz Yari, Ikra Bilbis, and Sahabi Ya’u as winners of the party’s senatorial primary elections in Zamfara State.

The three lawmakers currently represent Zamfara West, Zamfara Central, and Zamfara North senatorial districts respectively in the 10th Senate.

Chairman of the APC Senatorial Primary Election Committee, Prof. Ishaq Bala, announced the results after the candidates secured the highest votes in their respective contests.

According to Bala, a total of 136,419 votes were recorded in Zamfara Central, where Bilbis emerged victorious with 127,686 votes, defeating Lubna Muhammad, who polled 140 votes, and Aliyu Akilu-Muhammad, who secured 8,593 votes.

In Zamfara West, 125,311 votes were cast, with Yari winning overwhelmingly after polling 125,235 votes, while his challenger, Nasiru Zarumi, received 76 votes.

For Zamfara North, the primary election held on May 19 saw Ya’u secure victory with 65,642 votes across the local government areas, defeating Hannafi Musa-Moriki, Sani Abdullahi-Shinkafi, and Tijjani Yahaya, who trailed behind with lower vote counts.

Bala described the primaries as peaceful, transparent, and credible, noting that there were no reports of violence or major disagreements during the exercise.

He advised any dissatisfied aspirant to forward complaints to the party’s appeal committee, scheduled to sit on May 28 in Gusau.

The committee chairman also praised party members, stakeholders, and media representatives for their cooperation and commended the Zamfara State Government for ensuring a peaceful atmosphere throughout the exercise.

He reaffirmed the APC’s commitment to internal democracy and due process ahead of the 2027 general elections.