The All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primaries, ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, have triggered one of the party’s deepest internal crises in recent years. At least 26 sitting lawmakers lost their return tickets, while numerous aspirants faced disqualification or withdrew amidst allegations of manipulation, imposition, and engineered consensus.
Read more: APC Lawmakers Push Back After Losing Primary TicketsFrom Rivers, Edo, Imo, Lagos, Kwara, Benue, Ekiti, and Plateau to Cross River, the primaries exposed sharp divisions within the APC. Governors, party power blocs, and political godfathers jostled for control of candidate selection, often sidelining incumbents. The fallout has already led to threats of litigation from aggrieved lawmakers, who insist the process fell short of democratic standards.
Disqualifications and Factions in Rivers
APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka confirmed that 14 aspirants, including four sitting lawmakers, failed the party’s screening exercise. Specific reasons were not disclosed. Those affected include Iduma Igariwey (Ebonyi), Awaji-Inombek Abiante, Anderson Allison, and Boma Goodhead (all Rivers). Other disqualified aspirants include Adefisoye Tajudeen, Olusegun Ategbole, Seun Ajongbolo, and several others.
The disqualification of Rivers lawmakers further inflamed tensions within an APC already split between supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. While some Wike allies cleared the screening, others linked the disqualifications to ongoing power struggles between the two camps.
Shocks and Allegations in Edo and Kwara
In Edo State, House Leader Prof. Julius Ihonvbere lost the Owan Federal Constituency ticket to Andrew Ijegbai. Ihonvbere rejected the result, alleging the process was manipulated and vowing to appeal. Another incumbent, Esosa Iyawe, also lost his ticket and decried widespread irregularities, including violence and the disenfranchisement of party members through consensus arrangements.
Kwara State saw tension after Tijani Kayode scored zero votes in the primaries, raising doubts about the legitimacy of the exercise and hinting at legal action. Stakeholder groups also opposed attempts to secure a third Senate term for Deputy Senate Leader Lola Ashiru, demanding transparent primaries.
Consensus and Disputes in Ogun and Imo
In Ogun State, four sitting lawmakers, including Deputy Chief Whip Isiaka Ibrahim, lost their tickets in what some described as a “consensus arrangement orchestrated by Governor Dapo Abiodun. Isiaka contested the legitimacy of the exercise, alleging there was no genuine primary.
Imo State’s primaries, conducted via the Option A4 voting system, saw four incumbents lose their tickets. Despite Governor Hope Uzodimma’s assurances of fairness, some aspirants accepted defeat while others lamented the process.
Controversy and Violence in Ekiti and Plateau
Three serving House members in Ekiti failed to secure tickets, with aspirants and stakeholders denouncing the primaries as a “disgrace to democracy.” Reports of violence and irregularities forced the Ekiti North I contest to be declared inconclusive.
Tragedy struck in Plateau State, where violence during the Mangu Local Government Area primary resulted in the death of a resident, Sani Abdullahi, during protests over delays and alleged manipulation.
Benue: A Battle of Political Heavyweights
Benue State’s primaries saw Governor Hyacinth Alia’s camp prevail over allies of Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume. The results were a setback for Akume, despite claims that President Tinubu had directed automatic tickets for incumbents—a claim Governor Alia rejected, insisting no such directive existed.
Consensus Arrangements, Incumbent Losses in the North
In Katsina, Kebbi, Kano, Jigawa, and Kogi, consensus arrangements largely determined outcomes, sidelining several incumbents. In some cases, lawmakers stepped down or lost tickets to favoured aspirants, fuelling discontent among party faithful.
Mixed Outcomes in Other States
- Abia: Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and several others secured return tickets.
- Delta: Ndudi Elumelu won a contentious primary, while the Appeals Committee urged dissatisfied aspirants to submit complaints.
- Cross River: Five incumbents lost their tickets, highlighting the scale of upsets nationwide.
- Oyo: Several aspirants were disqualified, with only five cleared for senatorial primaries.
- Adamawa: Governor Fintiri’s allies reportedly swept the tickets, though some aspirants claimed no primaries were held in parts of the state.
- Nasarawa: Two incumbents lost their tickets; some winners emerged through consensus.
- Borno: Most candidates were selected by consensus or affirmation, with some contests unopposed or inconclusive.
Isolated Incidents and Reactions
In Kaduna, aspirant Yerima Shettima withdrew after consultations, pledging loyalty to the party, while the camp of Sani Dakaci in Igabi Federal Constituency alleged widespread irregularities. Gombe’s Alfred-John Attajiri rejected results for a primary he claims never took place.
Rare Peaceful Primaries
There were isolated reports of peaceful and transparent processes, such as in Afikpo/Edda (Ebonyi) and Ikom/Boki (Cross River), where party loyalists praised the conduct and called for unity.
Conclusion
The APC House of Representatives primaries across Nigeria have laid bare deep rifts within the party, with numerous incumbents ousted, widespread allegations of manipulation, and pockets of violence. As the party heads toward the 2027 general elections, the fallout from these primaries is likely to shape both internal dynamics and the broader political landscape.
