By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri

Hon. Asarya Tarpaya, immediate past Commissioner for Inter-Governmental Affairs and Special Duties in Borno State, has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Askira-Uba/Hawul Federal Constituency in the 2027 National Assembly election.

Tarpaya secured a landslide victory in the direct primary conducted on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, across the two local government areas.

Announcing the result, the Returning Officer, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, declared Tarpaya the winner with a commanding 20,172 votes.

The other three aspirants who participated scored as follows: Hon. Dr. Usman Midala Balami (Incumbent) polled 170 votes, Hon. Audu Garba Zali scored 1,261 votes, while Hon. Captain Shali Magaji Hudu got 392 votes.

Seven other aspirants had earlier withdrawn from the race.

In his acceptance speech, Hon. Asarya Tarpaya thanked APC stakeholders and supporters for the mandate, saying: “I assure you of better days as your representative. When elected, I will work assiduously to attract massive people-oriented projects with inclusivity, accountability, transparency, and good representation at the National Assembly.”

He appealed for unity among party members and called on them to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Babagana Zulum, and all APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.

Stakeholders, including the Executive Chairman of Hawul Local Government, Hon. Yusuf Mamman, described Tarpaya as “the man to beat” in 2027 and pledged their full support for his victory and that of other APC candidates.

The primary, which was earlier declared inconclusive due to complaints from one aspirant, was eventually conducted under strict adherence to APC guidelines and the Electoral Act.