Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has met with 85 All Progressives Congress, APC, House of Assembly aspirants from Zamfara State who were not cleared in the party’s screening exercise.
The meeting, held at his residence in Gusau, focused on reconciliation efforts within the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Matawalle urged the aspirants to remain calm, united and committed to the growth of the APC despite the outcome of the screening process, assuring them that their grievances were being addressed.
The aspirants, led by Sulaiman Shu’aibu Shinkafi, expressed appreciation to the former governor for what they described as his leadership style and efforts to promote unity within the party.
Responding, Matawalle said the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, was reviewing petitions submitted by aggrieved aspirants and urged them to exercise patience.
He reiterated that the APC remains committed to fairness, justice and equal opportunity for all members.
The minister also said the government was intensifying efforts to tackle insecurity in parts of the country, including insurgency in the North-East and banditry in the North-West.
He commended the aspirants for their maturity and willingness to continue working for the success of the party.
The meeting formed part of ongoing consultations aimed at strengthening internal cohesion within the APC in Zamfara State ahead of the 2027 elections.
Among those present at the meeting were former Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Mukhtar Ahmad Anka; former Speakers of the State House of Assembly, Bature Umar Sambo and Nasiru Mu’azu Magarya; APC State Secretary, Ibrahim Maigandi; and APC Auditor, Yusuf Idris Gusau, among other stakeholders.
Mayowa Alakija Defeats Incumbent Lawmaker To Win APC Ticket In Lagos
Former Education Secretary, Mayowa Alakija, popularly known as “Bibire,” has emerged as the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate for Oshodi/Isolo State Constituency I after defeating incumbent lawmaker, Stephen Ogundipe, in the party’s primary election ahead of the 2027 Lagos State House of Assembly poll.
The primary election results were collated at the Legislative Hall of the Oshodi Local Government Secretariat, where party members and stakeholders gathered for the exercise.
Ward-by-ward results showed Alakija maintaining a commanding lead across most parts of the constituency.
In Bolade D1 Ward, he polled 3,121 votes against Ogundipe’s 1,110 votes. He also recorded a landslide victory in Orile Oshodi D2 Ward with 4,352 votes, while Ogundipe secured 12 votes.
At Mafoluku D3 Ward, Alakija garnered 2,102 votes compared to Ogundipe’s 166 votes.
The contest was relatively closer in Shogunle E1 Ward, where Alakija scored 484 votes against 371 votes recorded by the incumbent lawmaker.
In Alasia Shogunle E2 Ward, Alakija secured 455 votes, while Ogundipe polled 78 votes.
At the end of the collation process, Alakija emerged winner with a total of 12,251 votes, while Ogundipe finished with 1,737 votes.
Another aspirant, Abiodun Orija, had earlier withdrawn from the race and directed his supporters to back Alakija.
The APC Returning Officer, Prince Adesanya Omoloja, later declared Alakija as the duly elected candidate of the party for the constituency.
The announcement triggered celebrations among supporters and party members, many of whom described the outcome as a reflection of Alakija’s grassroots support and political acceptance within Oshodi/Isolo.
Party leaders also commended the peaceful conduct of the exercise and urged members to remain united ahead of the general election.
In his acceptance speech, Alakija thanked party leaders, delegates, women, youths and supporters across the constituency for the confidence reposed in him.
He also acknowledged supporters of other aspirants, saying their participation reflected democratic values and commitment to the progress of the party.
“Now that the primary election is over, this is the time for unity, reconciliation, and consolidation as we prepare for the general election ahead,” he said.
Alakija urged APC members to prioritise the collective interest of the party and work together for victory in the next election.
He also appreciated Abiodun Orija for stepping down from the race in the interest of unity, while commending Ogundipe for what he described as a healthy and democratic contest.
According to him, the primary election demonstrated political maturity and loyalty to the APC.
Alakija reaffirmed his commitment to inclusive leadership and pledged to serve the constituency with dedication, humility and fairness if elected.
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