INEC lists 35 candidates for Taraba senate seats

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan. Photo: INEC

A total of 35 candidates have been listed by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the three senatorial seats in Taraba State ahead of the 2027 general elections, setting the stage for a keen political contest among candidates of different political parties.

The candidates, drawn from various political parties, are seeking to represent Taraba North, Taraba Central and Taraba South Senatorial Districts, with only three expected to emerge victorious to represent the state in the Senate after the January 16, 2027, National Assembly election.

The final list, signed by INEC Secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony, shows that Taraba North has 11 candidates, Taraba Central has 14, while Taraba South has 10 candidates, making the contest in the three districts an important test of the political strength of the participating parties.

In Taraba South, Senator David Jimkuta of the All Progressives Congress will face Jauro Ibrahim of the African Democratic Congress, Aliyu Yusuf of Accord, Afiniki Yarima of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Akaangee Bosha of the Allied Peoples Movement, Ezekiel Ambo of the Labour Party, Istifanus Mik of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Adi Ashumate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Bako Samalia of the Social Democratic Party and Ismaila Yahuza of the Young Progressives Party.

For Taraba Central, the incumbent APC senator, Haruna Manu, will contest against Falack Victor of Accord, Yaroojee Lawan of the African Action Congress, Ahmadu Salim of the ADC, Adamu Gassol of the APGA, Danladi Stephen of the APM, Yubuin Samuel of the LP, Baban Babangida of the National Rescue Movement, Nyan-Ganji Gills of the NDC, Iliyasu Goje of the PDP, Barak Maikidi of the PRP, Jibir Suleiman of the SDP, Ahmad Kiyari of the Young Progressives Party and Ibrahim Hamidu of the Zenith Labour Party.

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In Taraba North, the APC candidate, Shuaibu Lau, will face Maigari Bello of the ADC, Anthony Zawati of Accord, Ali Sani of APGA, Mathias Dame of the Labour Party, Anthony Lawrence of the NRM, Bandawa Anfani of the NDC, Bubajoda Mafindi of the PDP, Abdullahi Aminu of the PRP, Usman Shekara of the SDP and Musa Tukur of the YPP.

The contest comes against the backdrop of significant political realignments in the state, following the defection of Governor Agbu Kefas and two of the then three serving senators from the PDP to the APC.

The development has placed the ruling party in a position to defend all three senatorial seats under one political platform, while opposition parties seek to consolidate their support bases and challenge the incumbents.