The ongoing All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections have produced major political upsets, with at least 70 serving members of the National Assembly losing their bids to secure return tickets under the ruling party’s platform.
The wave of defeats affected both senators and members of the House of Representatives across several states, exposing deepening internal divisions, allegations of imposition, manipulated consensus arrangements, and growing dissatisfaction within the party.
Among the high-profile casualties was Senator Ned Nwoko, who lost the APC Delta North senatorial ticket to former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in a landslide contest. Senator Jibrin Isah, popularly known as Echocho, also lost the Kogi East ticket, while Senator Danjuma Goje reportedly failed in his bid to secure another term representing Gombe Central.
Other lawmakers affected by the primaries include Senators Neda Imasuen, Benson Agadaga, Abdulhamid Madori, and Ipalibo Banigo, some of whom were either defeated outright or disqualified during the screening process.
In the House of Representatives, no fewer than 26 serving lawmakers reportedly lost their return tickets during contentious primaries held across Rivers, Edo, Imo, Ekiti, Benue, Plateau, Kwara, and other states.
The primaries were marked by protests, violence, legal threats, and accusations of political manipulation. In Ondo State, chaos erupted during one of the exercises, with reports indicating that Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire narrowly escaped an attack linked to disputes over the conduct of the primaries.
In Benue State, the political camp loyal to Governor Hyacinth Alia recorded sweeping victories over allies of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, leading to major losses for several Akume-backed aspirants.
Meanwhile, several APC heavyweights managed to retain their tickets. Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, former Senate President Ahmad Lawan, and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu all emerged victorious in their respective contests.
Political observers say the widespread losses have exposed serious cracks within the APC ahead of the 2027 elections, especially as governors, party leaders, and influential blocs battle for control of party structures and candidate nominations nationwide.
The controversies have also reignited debates over the APC’s adoption of consensus arrangements and recent amendments to the Electoral Act, particularly provisions restricting political defections after party membership registers are submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Analysts believe some lawmakers who previously supported stricter anti-defection rules have now become victims of the same legislation.
With multiple aggrieved aspirants threatening court action and rejecting the outcomes of the primaries, concerns are growing that the ruling party could face prolonged internal disputes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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