From Abel Zwanke, Lafia

A former aspirant for the Lafia/Obi Federal Constituency seat under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Isaac Ali Kigbu, has withdrawn from the party’s primary election, citing the need to preserve unity and peace within the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Kigbu announced his withdrawal on Sunday in a press briefing shortly after the APC primary election for the constituency was scheduled to hold.

According to him, the decision followed extensive consultations with party leaders, including Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State.

He said his action was guided by the overriding interest of party cohesion and stability.

“After extensive consultations with party leadership, and in particular with His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, I have reached the considered decision to withdraw my candidacy from this contest,” he stated.

“This decision is anchored on a single principle: the unity, cohesion, and peace of our great party, the APC. Politics is transient, but the strength of our platform and our collective resolve to deliver good governance to the people of Nigeria must endure.”

The former aspirant called on his supporters across Lafia and Obi Local Government Areas to remain loyal to the APC and support the party’s candidate in the forthcoming elections.

“At this moment, the greater service I can render is to place party harmony above personal ambition, so that we approach the 2027 general elections as one indivisible family,” he said.

“To my teeming supporters across Lafia and Obi, I say thank you for your unwavering trust and sacrifice. “I call on you to sustain that same spirit by standing firmly behind our party and its chosen candidate, and to embrace unity and peace within our ranks.”

Kigbu also urged party members and residents of the constituency to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“I also urge you to lend your full support to the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, which represents our collective pathway to economic recovery, security, and inclusive development,” he added.

He further maintained that his commitment to public service remained unwavering despite stepping down from the race.

“For me, public service is not bound by the outcome of one election. As long as God grants me life and strength, I remain committed to the cause of Service to Humanity,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Kigbu dismissed allegations circulating on social media that he was induced financially to withdraw from the contest.

“Let it be stated clearly, I, Hon. Isaac Ali Kigbu, has not received the sum of ₦50 million, nor any form of inducement, from any individual or group in relation to this process,” he said.

“My withdrawal is an act of conviction and loyalty to the party, not of compromise.”

From Ene Asuquo, Calabar

Ahead of next year’s elections, four serving members out of the eight Federal House of Representatives members lost primaries to represent their federal constituencies in the 2027 election under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Cross River State.

Among those who lost out include a three-term member, Rt.

Hon. Mike Etaba representing Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency, and one-term member, Hon. Godwin Offiono representing Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency, one term member, Hon. Emil Inyang representing Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency; and one-term member, Hon. Bassey Akiba representing Odukpani/Calabar Municipality Federal Constituency.

Also three Reps members were given a returned ticket. They are one-term members, Hon. Peter Akpanke representing Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku Federal Constituency; one-term member, Hon. Joseph Bassey representing Akpabuyo/Bakassi/Calabar South Federal Constituency; and one-term member, Hon. Victor Abang representing Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency.

Meanwhile, some of the incumbents federal legislators who lost out have condemned and rejected the outcome of the just concluded APC House of Representatives primaries in Cross River State, describing the exercise as a charade

The lawmakers have accused the state leadership of the party, APC of conducting a flawed process against incumbents, alleging that the primaries violated both the electoral law and the party constitution

Meanwhile the state chairman of APC, Hon. Chris Etta in reacting to the just concluded House of Representatives primaries said the exercise was free and fair as he did not receive any report of anything from those in the field across all the political wards in the 18 local government areas.

According to him, ” the election was conducted through direct primaries, some candidates decided on their own to step down at the last minute, but that didn’t stop us from carrying on with the primaries”, Etta said.

Etta maintained that in conducting the primaries, the party followed all due process, and in accordance with the electoral law and the party constitution in which every contestant was given equal opportunity and a level playing field provided.

From Agbo Emmanuel, Kaduna

Ahead of the forthcoming party primaries, senatorial aspirants across the three senatorial zones of Kaduna State on Saturday have signed a peace pact aimed at ensuring violence free and credible electoral processes within their political parties.

The peace accord was signed during a meeting held at the Kaduna State Police Headquarters, bringing together leading political stakeholders, aspirants, and representatives from across the state.

Among those present at the event were former Kaduna State Governor, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero; Senator representing Kaduna North Senatorial District, Ibrahim Khalid Mustapha; former Senator representing Kaduna South, Danjuma Tella La’ah; former Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Yusuf Ibrahim Zailani; former Labour Party senatorial candidate for Kaduna South in the 2023 elections, Engr.

Michael Ayuba Auta; Ambassador Yerima Usman Shettima; alongside other aspirants and political stakeholders.

Speaking after the exercise, Auta described the signing of the peace pact as a demonstration of the collective commitment of aspirants toward peaceful, transparent, and credible party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He noted that the agreement would encourage issue based campaigns, mutual respect among political actors, and strict adherence to democratic principles and party guidelines.

According to him, all aspirants at the meeting reaffirmed their commitment to political maturity, peaceful conduct, and respect for due process before, during, and after the primary elections.

He added that participants also resolved to reject violence, intimidation, hate speech, and every form of political conflict capable of threatening party unity and democratic stability in the state.

Auta commended the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies for what he described as proactive measures aimed at sustaining peace and political stability across Kaduna State.

He said the peace pact marked an important step toward strengthening internal democracy, fostering unity among party members, and ensuring credible leadership selection ahead of the next general elections.