Kalu, Deputy Speaker
Deputy Speaker Kalu, Buhari’s son, Yusuf win APC Reps tickets
Son of former president, late Muhammadu Buhari, Yusuf Buhari, has emerged winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Daura/Sandamu/Mai’adua Federal Constituency.
The result was announced on Saturday in Daura by Lawal Garba, the Chairman of the constituency’s APC primary election committee.
Also, the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Dr Benjamin Kalu, has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Bende Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
Kalu was elected unopposed during Saturday’s primary election of the party in Bende.
Kalu’s third term bid received a boost, when party members from the 13 wards that make up the constituency unanimously affirmed his candidacy.
The wards include; Alayi, Bende, Ezeukwu, Igbere, Item, Itumbuzo, Nkpa, Ntalakwu, Ozuitem, Ugwueke, Umu-Imenyi, Umuhu-Ezechi, and Uzuakoli.
The exercise, which began at the ward level, recorded a large turnout of party members and stakeholders that participated in the affirmation process.
Ward executives, stakeholders and delegates praised the deputy speaker for his quality leadership, effective legislative representation, and commitment to grassroots development since he assumed office.
They said his emergence without opposition reflected the overwhelming confidence and trust reposed in him by APC members and constituents.
Speaking after the affirmation, Kalu thanked party faithful, community leaders, youth and women groups, and other constituents for their continued support and confidence in his leadership.
He pledged to sustain efforts to attract democratic dividend to the constituency, promote inclusive governance, and advance policies that would improve welfare and expand economic opportunities for the people.
“I will continue to provide quality representation and sustain developmental initiatives aimed at uplifting communities across Bende Federal Constituency,” he said.
Earlier, the Chairman, APC National Assembly Primary Election Committee for Abia, Mr Erasmus Cishak, assured the party members and aspirants of a peaceful, transparent, and hitch-free process across the state.
Cishak emphasised that the committee would uphold fairness and credibility and urged aspirants, delegates, and stakeholders to conduct themselves responsibly and abide by the rules.
Also, Garba said Buhari’s son secured a landslide victory with 17,342 votes to defeat his opponent, Auwalu Musa Daura, who polled 480 votes.
He subsequently declared Buhari as the APC flag bearer for the constituency in the forthcoming general elections.
Speaking after the declaration, Buhari thanked party members and supporters across the constituency for the confidence reposed in him.
He pledged to work with all stakeholders to ensure the party’s victory in the 2027 polls and called for unity among APC members in the constituency.
“I will embrace everyone and carry all party members along to ensure that APC emerges victorious in the general elections.
“I sincerely thank the people of Daura, Sandamu and Mai’adua for coming out in large numbers to support me,” he said.
However, his opponent, Auwalu Lawan Daura, son of former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura, rejected the outcome of the exercise, alleging irregularities in the conduct of the primary election.
Speaking shortly after the exercise, Daura expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the direct primary, alleging that the process did not comply with party guidelines.
According to him, many of those counted during the exercise were allegedly not registered APC members and did not possess valid membership cards.
“I am not satisfied with what happened today. Evidence is everywhere showing the injustice that was done.
“The manner of counting was highly questionable, and most of the people counted do not even have party membership cards,” he alleged.
Daura said his participation in the primary election was motivated by his belief in justice, fairness and internal democracy within the party.
He maintained that every aspirant deserved a level playing field and stressed the need for transparent party processes to sustain members’ confidence in the APC. (NAN)
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