APC Primaries: Massive upset as over 70 lawmakers lose return tickets

No fewer than 70 serving lawmakers of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the National Assembly may not return to the Senate and House of Representatives in 2027 as controversies continue to trail the party’s primaries across the country.

The development followed widespread protests, allegations of manipulation, violence and claims of candidate imposition in several states after the APC conducted its senatorial and House of Representatives primaries.

Among those affected is Rep. Donatus Matthew, popularly known as the “Okada Rider,” who defected from the Labour Party to the APC but was disqualified during screening for the Kaura Federal Constituency ticket in Kaduna State.

Several former Labour Party lawmakers who recently joined the APC also lost their return tickets during the primaries. They include Esosa Iyawe in Edo, Senator Neda Imasuen for Edo South, Tochukwu Okere from Imo, Bassey Akiba of Cross River and Daulyop Fom of Plateau State.

Serving APC senators who may not return to the National Assembly include Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East), Diket Plang (Plateau Central), Osita Izunaso (Imo West), Emmanuel Udende (Benue North-East), Titus Zam (Benue West), Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central), Saliu Mustapha (Kwara) and Ned Nwoko (Delta North).

Reports indicated that at least 58 members of the House of Representatives and 12 senators are already out of contention following defeat, withdrawal or disqualification during the primaries.

The situation has sparked widespread outrage across several states, with aggrieved aspirants rejecting results and accusing party officials of manipulating the process.

Senator Escapes Attack During Ondo APC Primary

In Ondo State, Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire narrowly escaped attack after armed thugs invaded his polling unit during the senatorial primary in Akure.

Witnesses said gunmen stormed the venue and fired shots after it became obvious that Adegbonmire was leading the exercise.

The senator later described the process as a “charade,” alleging that violence and intimidation were deployed against his supporters across Ondo Central.

Another aspirant, Olumuyiwa Adu, also accused armed thugs of hijacking the exercise and imposing candidates on party members.

Uncertainty Trails Delta APC Primaries

In Delta State, confusion surrounded the outcome of the senatorial primaries after the APC National Working Committee faulted the announcement of results at state collation centres.

APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, said only the national headquarters had the authority to officially announce winners after reviewing complaints and petitions from aspirants.

The development cast uncertainty over the reported victories of Ifeanyi Okowa, Ede Dafinone and Joel Onowakpo-Thomas.

Meanwhile, the APC National Assembly Primaries Appeal Committee in Delta confirmed receiving five petitions over the conduct of the exercise.

Aspirants Reject Primaries in Cross River, Kaduna, Ekiti

In Cross River State, Senator Eteng Jones Williams and Mary Ekpere rejected the purported results for Cross River Central Senatorial District, insisting that no primary election took place in any of the 66 wards.

In Kaduna, former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Yusuf Zailani, rejected the Kaduna Central senatorial primary, claiming election materials were never deployed across the seven local government areas.

Former Senator Ayo Arise also rejected the outcome of the Ekiti North senatorial primary, alleging vote manipulation and fabrication of figures in favour of incumbent Senator Cyril Fasuyi.

APC Faces Protest in Kogi, Fresh Crisis in Zamfara

At the APC national secretariat in Abuja, stakeholders from Kogi Central staged a protest against the participation of former governor Yahaya Bello in the senatorial primary.

The protesters argued that Bello was not cleared by the party’s screening committee and therefore should not have participated in the exercise.

In Zamfara, senatorial aspirant Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi warned that the APC risked another legal disaster similar to the 2019 crisis if alleged imposition of candidates continued.

AbdulRazaq Wins Kwara Central Ticket

In Kwara State, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq emerged winner of the Kwara Central senatorial primary unopposed.

The APC state leadership said the official announcement would be made alongside House of Representatives results by the party’s national secretariat.

Suswam Returns, Defeats Incumbent Senator

Former Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam, staged a political comeback after defeating incumbent Senator Emmanuel Udende for the Benue North-East senatorial ticket.

In Benue North-West, retired customs officer Benjamin Aber defeated Senator Titus Zam, who finished third in the primary.

Both lawmakers have since rejected the results, alleging manipulation of figures during collation.

Taraba, Osun Primaries Produce Mixed Outcomes

In Taraba State, Senators David Jimkuta and Haruna Manu retained their senatorial tickets for Taraba South and Central respectively.

However, tension persisted in Taraba North as the result of the primary had yet to be officially announced.

In Osun State, Senator Francis Fadahunsi secured the APC ticket for Osun East, while Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi lost his bid for re-election in Osun Central.

The APC also announced winners for several House of Representatives seats across the state.

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