Ex-minister Khadija Ibrahim’s 15 years N’Assembly reign under threat after APC ticket lost

Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim, former minister of State for foreign affairs and long-time federal lawmaker, has suffered a stunning political setback after losing the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket to seek re-election to the House of Representatives, bringing her 15-year dominance in the National Assembly under serious threat.

The defeat, which occurred during the APC primary election held in Damaturu on Saturday, marks a dramatic fall for one of northern Nigeria’s most influential female politicians and signals a potential shift in the balance of power within the ruling party in Yobe State.

Khadija, who currently represents the Damaturu, Gujba, Gulani and Tarmuwa Federal Constituency, has been a fixture in the House of Representatives since 2007. Her loss in the party primary effectively ends her bid to extend a legislative career that has spanned nearly two decades.

The former minister’s defeat is being viewed by political observers as one of the biggest upsets in Yobe politics in recent years. It also highlights growing competition within the APC, where younger political actors and emerging power blocs are increasingly challenging established figures for elective positions.

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Over the years, Khadija built a formidable political profile, serving in several key committees of the House of Representatives before being appointed Minister of State for Foreign Affairs under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Her political influence was further strengthened by her marriage to the late Bukar Abba Ibrahim, a towering figure in Yobe politics who served as governor and later senator, helping shape the state’s political direction for decades.

The outcome of the APC primary is expected to reshape political calculations ahead of the next general election, particularly in a constituency that has long been associated with Khadija’s political brand. Analysts say the result reflects growing calls among party members for fresh leadership and a new generation of representatives.

Although details of the vote tally were not immediately available, party faithful described the outcome as a defining moment for the APC in Yobe State.

As of press time, Khadija and her campaign team had yet to issue an official reaction to the defeat. However, the primary result has already sparked widespread discussion among political stakeholders, with many describing it as the end of an era for one of Yobe’s most recognizable political figures.

Attention is now expected to shift to the APC’s new candidate as preparations begin for what promises to be a fiercely contested election in one of the state’s most strategic federal constituencies.