The African Democratic Congress has officially unveiled Senator Ireti Heebah Kingibe as its candidate for the Federal Capital Territory senatorial election following the party’s primary held on Saturday.
Kingibe emerged victorious after polling 17,535 votes, defeating her only rival, Mubarak Tijjani, who secured 806 votes.
Announcing the result at the ADC secretariat in Abuja, the chairman and returning officer for the Senate and House of Representatives primaries, Abubakar Adamu, confirmed Kingibe’s victory.
He said, “Having scored the highest number of votes of 17, 535, and the powers conferred on me as the returning officer for the Senate and House of Representative Primary Elections, Senator Ireti Heebah Kingibe is declared winner of the election.”
The exercise also produced candidates for the two House of Representatives seats in the FCT, with winners emerging across the constituencies after keenly contested races.
In the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency, Bala Iyah clinched the party ticket with 4,937 votes.
Yahaya Fatima Goya came second after polling 2,015 votes, while Ma’aji Johnson Bello secured 1,546 votes. Ismaila Ishak Ozigi received 105 votes.
For the Abaji/Gwagwalada/Kwali/Kuje Federal Constituency, Alhassan Salihu won the primary with 9,016 votes, defeating Khalid A. Haruna, who scored 2,955 votes.
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission monitored the conduct of the primaries and observed the collation of results.
Reacting after his victory, the ADC candidate for the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency, Bala Iyah, expressed optimism about the party’s chances in the 2027 general elections.
He said, “I want to assure you that with this victory I am ready, by the special grace of God, come 2027 election. Because my people are ready for this election.
“As a grassroots politician, I am ready and I have the capacity because I am not just a novice in politics, that is number one.
“And I am a great mobilizer in politics, because it’s been a long time since I’ve been in politics. Since the June 12th election, I started my politics. And I want to tell you, I know the terrain of AMAC/BWARI Federal Constituency.”
Speaking further, Iyah said the support he received during the primary reflected the confidence his people have in him.
He further stated that it’s very simple, because my people love me and they like me to be there. That’s why you can see the victory, the mandate they have given to me. For sure, that day is just a walkover, by the special grace of God.
“And we are ready, not because of the money but because of the acceptance. And because of the good things I have been doing for my people,” he noted.