The All Progressives Congress primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections have produced major political upsets across the country, with no fewer than 12 serving members of the House of Representatives failing to secure return tickets to contest for another term under the party’s platform.
Among the biggest casualties of the primaries is the House Majority Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, whose ambition to return to the National Assembly for a third term suffered a major setback after he lost the APC ticket for Owan Federal Constituency in Edo State. Reports indicate that former Commissioner for Mining, Andrew Ijegbai, emerged victorious amid political arrangements linked to zoning within the constituency.
Another notable figure from Edo State, Eseosa Iyawe, also failed to clinch the party’s ticket for Oredo Federal Constituency after losing to former Commissioner for Education, Dr Paddy Iyamu. Iyawe had earlier defected from the Labour Party to the APC after gaining prominence in the House of Representatives...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Imo State recorded one of the biggest political shakeups during the exercise as four incumbent lawmakers were denied return tickets by party delegates. Those affected include Matthew Nwogu representing Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency, Miriam Onuoha of Okigwe South, Harrison Nwadike representing Isu/Njaba/Nkwerre/Nwangele Federal Constituency, and Emeka Martins Chinedu of Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Federal Constituency.
In Kwara State, Ismail Kayode, the representative of Ifelodun/Oyun/Offa Federal Constituency, lost his bid for another term to Rafiu Ajakaye, a former Chief Press Secretary to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. The outcome further highlights the growing influence of state political structures in determining party tickets ahead of the general elections.
Kebbi State also witnessed a significant political upset as Mansur Musa Jega lost the APC ticket for Jega/Gwandu/Aleiro Federal Constituency following a consensus arrangement that reportedly favoured former Comptroller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Jafar Ahmed Jega.
In Jigawa State, four serving lawmakers equally failed to secure their party’s endorsement for another term in office. They include Muktar Muhammad representing Kazaure/Roni/Gwiwa/Yankwashi Federal Constituency, Ibrahim Usman Auyo of Hadejia/Auyo/Kafin Hausa Federal Constituency, Sa’adu Wada Taura representing Ringim/Taura Federal Constituency, and Yusif Sa’idu Miga of Jahun/Miga Federal Constituency.
Another major political surprise emerged from Delta State where Nicholas Mutu, one of the longest-serving lawmakers in the House of Representatives, reportedly lost the APC ticket for Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency. Mutu, who has represented the constituency since 1999, was defeated by Basil Ganagana in a contest many political observers described as a dramatic turning point.
The outcome of the APC primaries has sparked reactions across political circles, with analysts describing the exercise as evidence of shifting alliances, internal party restructuring, zoning calculations, and growing dissatisfaction with some incumbents. The development also signals that several established politicians may face uncertain political futures as the countdown to the 2027 elections intensifies.
