The All Progressives Congress has adopted a loyalist of Dikko Radda, Usman Banye, as its candidate for the Rimi/Charanchi/Batagarawa Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Banye emerged as the party’s consensus candidate during the APC primary election held on Saturday in Charanchi, following the withdrawal of two other aspirants from the race.
The development came after party stakeholders, delegates, supporters and members gathered at the Rimi Local Government Secretariat for the primary election to determine the party’s flagbearer for the federal constituency seat.
According to party officials, the exercise was conducted peacefully amid heavy attendance by APC loyalists from the three local government areas that make up the constituency.
The two remaining aspirants in the contest later submitted formal letters withdrawing from the race, a decision that was subsequently endorsed by party leaders and stakeholders across the constituency.
Their withdrawal paved the way for Banye’s emergence as the sole aspirant and eventual consensus candidate of the party.
Governor Radda, who attended the primary election, publicly endorsed Banye by raising his hand before party supporters and stakeholders shortly after the withdrawals were announced.
The symbolic gesture was greeted with loud cheers and celebrations from supporters at the venue, signalling the official adoption of Banye as the APC candidate for the constituency ahead of the 2027 polls.
Political observers described the development as a major consolidation of Governor Radda’s influence within the party structure in Katsina State.
The governor was said to have commended party members for maintaining unity and ensuring a peaceful primary process, stressing the need for cohesion ahead of the general elections.
Party stakeholders at the event also praised the aspirants who stepped down for what they described as a sacrifice made in the interest of party unity and electoral success.
Several APC leaders urged supporters to rally behind Banye and work collectively to ensure victory for the party in the constituency during the 2027 elections.
Banye, while addressing supporters after his emergence, reportedly expressed appreciation to Governor Radda, party leaders and delegates for the confidence reposed in him.
He pledged to justify the trust placed in him by providing quality representation and promoting the interests of the people of Rimi, Charanchi and Batagarawa if elected into the House of Representatives.
The APC candidate also promised to prioritise youth empowerment, infrastructural development, education and agricultural support programmes across the constituency.
Supporters at the venue described Banye as a grassroots politician with close ties to the people, expressing optimism that his candidacy would strengthen the party’s chances in the election.
The consensus arrangement, according to political analysts, may help the APC avoid internal divisions often associated with fiercely contested primaries, particularly in politically strategic constituencies.
The Rimi/Charanchi/Batagarawa Federal Constituency remains one of the important political blocs in Katsina State, with major parties already positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
Saturday’s primary is expected to set the tone for further political alignments and consultations within the APC as preparations intensify for the general elections across the state and the country at large.
