In all the primaries conducted in Niger State to field candidates for the ten federal constituencies, only one has been officially declared concluded with a winner announced.
However, all the results of the three senatorial primaries were declared.
The state governor, Abubakar Sani-Bello, is believed not to be in good terms with most of the federal lawmakers in the state.
The frosty relationship between the governor and the lawmakers cannot be unconnected to the defeat of all three of its serving senators who sought reelection in the primaries.
The three senators, David Umaru, Sabi Abdullahi and Mustapha Sani lost in the senatorial primaries held across the state on the 2nd of October.
In Niger North senatorial district, Mr Abdullahi lost to the state serving commissioner for local government, community development and chieftaincy affairs, Zakari Jikantoro, David Umaru (Niger East) lost to Sani Musa, while Mustapha Sani(Niger South) lost to Buma Enagi
A serving House of Representatives member, Mohammed Bago is the only winner that has been officially declared as the party flagbearer.
The governing All Progressives Congress (APC) and other political parties are expected to submit their list of candidates for the 2019 general elections today.
The electoral commission (INEC) had in a notice to all the political parties directed them to conduct primaries as required by the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and submit their list of candidates before October 18.
For many serving lawmakers in Niger, the wait continues to see which candidates’ names the APC headquarters will send.
