Zakariya, Kagu: Who gets APC ticket in Machina Constituency?
Ahead of the May 15 All Progressives Congress (APC) primary, an aspirant with royal pedigree and legal credentials mounts a serious challenge to an entrenched lawmaker for the party’s ticket
Ahead of the May 15 All Progressives Congress (APC) primary, an aspirant with royal pedigree and legal credentials mounts a serious challenge to an entrenched lawmaker for the party’s ticket in Machina/Nguru/Karasuwa/Yusufari Federal Constituency. Correspondent JOEL DUKU reports
With the May 15, 2026, All Progressives Congress (APC) primary in Yobe State coming up, all eyes are on the Machina/Nguru/Karasuwa/Yusufari Federal Constituency. Here, a seasoned lawmaker faces a challenger known for his royal background, academic success, and judicial experience; qualities rarely combined in Nigeria’s legislative races.
The main challenger is Associate Professor Abubakar Bukar Kagu, a former Chief Magistrate and legal scholar who brings together tradition and academic achievement. Born in Machina and recently named Mutawalli, a senior chieftaincy title reserved for a trusted prince of the emirate, Kagu is an aspirant whose goals closely align with the constituency’s identity.
Kagu’s education and career seem well-suited for legislative work. He studied at the University of Maiduguri, the Nigerian Law School, Bayero University, and the University of Sussex in the UK, earning a PhD in Criminal Justice. His focus on comparative law gives him skills that many lawmakers gain only after years in office. He also gained leadership experience as a student union president and as Chief Magistrate of Yobe State. Later, he served as executive secretary of the Yobe State Scholarship Board and advised organisations such as the UNDP and the British Council.
Kagu’s campaign recently gained momentum with strong professional backing. On April 3, 2026, more than 100 lawyers from the four local government areas publicly urged him to run, calling him a “capable, prepared, and well-equipped candidate.” The group, which included the current and several former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) chairmen, also said: “So far, we have seen limited interest in this seat.” Many saw this as a subtle criticism of the current representative.
Read Also: Tinubu picks nomination form to open re-election bid
The shadow contest
Kagu’s main rival is Tijjani Zannah Zakariya, the current lawmaker representing the constituency. Zakariya is a political veteran who has served in many roles. He was Speaker of the Yobe State House of Assembly for eight years, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and, since 2023, a member of the House of Representatives, where he leads the House Committee on Basic Education.
Even with Zakariya’s long experience, he has faced criticism. During the campaign for the last general election, when Kagu faced the same opponent, some constituents said there was a “poor and total disconnection from electorates” under Zakariya, calling his representation “invisible” and “unresponsive”. It is still unclear if these views have changed or grown stronger in the past three years.
In the 2023 election, APC leaders in Yobe State adopted a consensus approach that did not reflect the wishes of most delegates, as many supported Kagu. As a result, he did not have the chance to run.
Right now, no other major candidate has shown interest in the ticket. There were rumours about Bashir Sherrif Machina, a former House of Representatives member who recently ran for the Yobe North Senate seat against former Senate President Ahmad Lawan. However, it seems Machina is still focused on his Senate ambitions. This leaves Zakariya and Kagu as the main contenders.
The deciding factors
Several interconnected factors will determine whether the Mutawalli can turn professional support into success in the party primary.
1. Royal capital vs political incumbency:
Kagu’s installation as Mutawalli in January 2026 was a major event. It was said to have “transformed Machina into a cynosure of national attention,” drawing emirs, former governors, and international development leaders. In this constituency, where tradition still shapes voting and elite opinion, this symbolic status matters a lot. On the other hand, Zakariya’s position as the incumbent gives him control over party structures, patronage networks, and the tools needed to organise delegates, who ultimately decide the primary.
2. The competence argument:
Kagu’s supporters, especially the lawyers’ group, are making legislative competence the main issue in the race. In their statement, they said, “This is a period in our national life when discussions must be rigorous before becoming laws” and argued that Nigeria’s National Assembly needs people who can “interpret global trends, negotiate policy frameworks, and advocate effectively.” This view aligns with a growing sentiment within the APC that primaries should produce candidates who can strengthen the legislature’s oversight and law-making roles.
3. The 2023 scorecard:
Kagu’s 2023 campaign is a useful indicator of his chances now. Reports from that election said his “outing and votes were remarkable,” even though he did not win the ticket. In the past two years, he has stayed active through his work on the scholarship board, his role as Mutawalli, and his involvement with professional groups. This has given him more name recognition and a stronger support base for this race.
4. Party dynamics and the governor’s posture:
Yobe APC Chairman Muhammad Gadaka recently said that “about 100 aspirants” are seeking different legislative seats across the state. In this crowded field, Governor Mai Mala Buni’s position as the party’s leader in the state will likely be crucial. People are watching to see if the governor will back the current officeholder or support the idea that Kagu brings a new generation and higher quality to the race.
5. The popularity test:
The contest could also be decided by party members from the four local government areas if the APC adopts the direct primary mode. Each area is different: Machina, where Kagu’s family is from, is expected to back him strongly. Nguru, where the lawyers’ group started, may also support him. Zakariya is likely to get most of his support in Yusufari and parts of Karasuwa, where his experience and position matter most.
The Machina contest stands out not just for pitting a traditional politician against a royal scholar, but also for the potential to shape the future of representation in Yobe State. If Kagu wins the ticket, it would show that the APC is open to lawmakers with both professional skills and traditional roots. If Zakariya wins, it would confirm the strength of established political networks and the benefits of incumbency.
Right now, the Mutawalli’s campaign to represent the constituency in the House of Representatives is gathering momentum. Whether this effort ends at the primary or continues to the general election depends on whether Kagu’s strengths can turn into a win. As one supporter put it, “Now is the time.” The Machina primary will test whether time is indeed on his side.
