The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has secured the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket to contest for another term in the House of Representatives in the 2027 general elections.
Abbas emerged unopposed during the APC affirmation exercise conducted across the 13 electoral wards of Zaria Federal Constituency in Kaduna State on Saturday.
The exercise, which took place simultaneously in Kwarbai A, Kwarbai B, Limancin-Kona, Unguwar Fatika, Unguwar Juma, Dutsen Abba, Gyallesu, Kufena, Dambo, Wuchichiri, Tudun Wada, Tukur-Tukur and Kaura wards, attracted a large turnout of party members, stakeholders and supporters.
The Speaker, who has represented Zaria Federal Constituency since 2011, was the only aspirant cleared by the APC to contest the seat, paving the way for his affirmation as the party’s flagbearer for the 2027 elections.
At Kwarbai B Ward, Abbas’ polling ward, party officials described the exercise as peaceful and orderly.
The APC Secretary in the ward, Nafiu Sabo, revealed that while the ward has over 10,000 registered party members, 220 accredited delegates participated in the affirmation process.
Ward Returning Officer, Malam Iliyasu Muhammad Balarabe, stated that Abbas fulfilled all requirements set by the party, including the purchase of nomination forms and screening.
According to him, the Speaker was the sole aspirant cleared by the APC for the Zaria Federal Constituency primary election.
Following the collation of results from all 13 wards, the APC Returning Officer for the constituency, Dr. Hamisu Ibrahim Kubau, officially declared Abbas as the party’s candidate after polling 1,376 affirmed votes.
“There are 13 wards in Zaria Federal Constituency, and there is only one person who bought a form, screened and was cleared by the APC. He is Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas,” Kubau said.
“To fulfil all requirements, affirmation was conducted across all wards in the presence of party officials and INEC representatives. The process was peaceful and successful.
“I hereby announce Dr. Tajudeen Abbas as the APC flagbearer for Zaria Federal Constituency for the 2027 general elections,” he added.
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) monitored the exercise across the constituency.
Chairman of the APC House of Representatives Primary Elections Committee in Kaduna State, Yakubu Oseni, described the outcome as a reflection of Abbas’ popularity and grassroots support within the constituency.
He noted that the Speaker had continued to demonstrate inclusive leadership, describing him as “a leader with listening ears.”
Oseni also expressed confidence that the APC would retain the Zaria Federal Constituency seat in the 2027 general elections.
The breakdown of votes from the 13 wards showed that Kwarbai B recorded the highest number with 220 votes, while Dutsen Abba recorded 100 votes. Other wards returned between 92 and 98 votes each, bringing the total affirmed votes to 1,376.
Speaking after his declaration, Abbas thanked APC members and supporters for renewing their confidence in him and pledged to continue delivering effective representation to the people of the constituency.
“My best days as your representative are ahead,” the Speaker said.
He also called on party supporters to remain united and mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani and other APC candidates in the 2027 elections.
The outcome of the exercise was contained in a statement signed by the Speaker’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi.
