The ongoing House of Representatives primaries of Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, have sparked one of the fiercest internal political battles in recent years, with a significant number of serving lawmakers losing their bids to return to the National Assembly ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Across several states, incumbent lawmakers were defeated during the party’s primaries, underscoring growing discontent within party structures, fierce grassroots contests, zoning arrangements, and shifting political alliances within the APC.
Reports emerging from the primaries indicate that at least a dozen serving members of the House of Representatives have already failed to secure return tickets, while more results from some states remain disputed or inconclusive.
Among the biggest political upsets was the contest involving House Majority Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, representing Owan East/Owan West Federal Constituency of Edo State. While some reports indicated that he claimed victory, other accounts said he lost the APC ticket amid intense local political realignments and zoning calculations within the constituency.
In Imo State, four incumbent lawmakers were swept out during the primaries conducted under the Option A4 voting system. Those affected include Matthew Nwogu, Miriam Odinaka Onuoha, Harrison Anozie Nwadike and Emeka Martins Chinedu.
The Imo primaries also produced a fresh crop of candidates across the state’s federal constituencies, reflecting the APC leadership’s push for internal restructuring ahead of the national elections. Governor Hope Uzodinma had earlier assured party stakeholders that zoning principles and internal agreements would be respected during the process.
In Benue State, seven out of the eleven APC members in the House of Representatives reportedly lost their return tickets during the primaries, further highlighting the scale of the political upheaval rocking the party nationwide.
Jigawa State also witnessed major casualties as several lawmakers, including long-serving federal legislator Sa’idu Miga, lost their bids to return to the green chamber. His defeat effectively ended nearly two decades of representation in the National Assembly.
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In Kwara State, the APC primary for the Ifelodun/Oyun/Offa Federal Constituency produced another upset after serving lawmaker Ismail Kayode lost the party ticket to former Chief Press Secretary to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Rafiu Ajakaye.
Political observers say the scale of defeats recorded during the APC primaries reflects rising internal competition within the ruling party as aspirants battle for strategic positions ahead of what is expected to be a highly competitive 2027 general election.
Analysts also note that zoning arrangements, anti-incumbency sentiments, local grievances, and power rotations within state chapters played major roles in determining the outcomes of many of the contests.
While some aggrieved aspirants are already threatening legal action and petitions against the conduct of the primaries, party leaders insist the exercises were largely transparent and reflected the will of delegates and party members.
