Governors Tighten Grip As APC Reps Lose Return Bids (Full List)

Several serving members of the House of Representatives have lost their bids to return to the National Assembly after failing to secure tickets during the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries conducted across the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The primaries, held in various states over the weekend, produced major political upsets as influential lawmakers were defeated by challengers backed by governors, party stakeholders, and zoning arrangements.

One of the most prominent casualties was the House Majority Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, who lost the APC ticket for Owan Federal Constituency in Edo State.

Ihonvbere, who sought a third term in the House of Representatives, was defeated by former Edo State Commissioner for Mining, Andrew Ijegbai.

Political sources within the party linked his defeat to an existing zoning arrangement between Owan East and Owan West local government areas, which reportedly favoured a power shift.

The outcome has been described as one of the biggest surprises of the APC primaries, considering Ihonvbere’s influence within the House leadership and the ruling party structure.

Also in Edo State, Eseosa Iyawe, representing Oredo Federal Constituency, failed to secure the APC ticket after losing to former Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu.

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Iyawe was originally elected into the House under the Labour Party before defecting to the APC during the ongoing wave of political realignments in the National Assembly.

His defeat is seen by political observers as a setback to his efforts to consolidate his political base within the ruling party.

In Imo State, four incumbent lawmakers were denied the opportunity to return to the House under the APC platform.

Those who lost out include Matthew Nwogu, representing Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency; Miriam Onuoha of Okigwe South Federal Constituency; Harrison Nwadike, representing Isu/Njaba/Nkwerre/Nwangele Federal Constituency; and Emeka Martins Chinedu of Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Federal Constituency.

The Imo primaries reportedly witnessed intense lobbying and influence from major political blocs loyal to Governor Hope Uzodimma, with several party leaders backing new entrants over incumbent lawmakers.

In Kwara State, Ismail Kayode, who currently represents Ifelodun/Oyun/Offa Federal Constituency, also lost his return ticket.

Kayode was defeated by Rafiu Ajakaye, a former Chief Press Secretary to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

Party insiders said Ajakaye enjoyed strong support from the state political structure and key stakeholders within the APC.

A similar scenario played out in Kebbi State where Mansur Musa Jega lost the APC ticket for Jega/Gwandu/Aleiro Federal Constituency.

The lawmaker was edged out following a consensus arrangement that produced former Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Jafar Ahmed Jega, as the party’s preferred candidate.

The use of consensus arrangements in several states has continued to generate controversy within the APC, with some aspirants accusing party leaders of imposing candidates.

Jigawa State also recorded significant casualties during the exercise as four serving lawmakers failed to clinch tickets.

The affected lawmakers include Muktar Muhammad of Kazaure/Roni/Gwiwa/Yankwashi Federal Constituency, Ibrahim Usman Auyo representing Hadejia/Auyo/Kafin Hausa Federal Constituency, Sa’adu Wada Taura of Ringim/Taura Federal Constituency, and Yusif Sa’idu Miga, representing Jahun/Miga Federal Constituency.

Political analysts say the outcome of the primaries reflects growing internal power shifts within the APC ahead of the 2027 elections, with governors and influential party figures tightening their grip on candidate selection processes.

In several states, aggrieved aspirants and their supporters reportedly protested the conduct of the primaries, alleging manipulation, imposition of candidates, and lack of transparency.

Despite the controversies, the APC leadership has insisted that the primaries were conducted in line with the party’s constitution and electoral guidelines.

The ruling party is expected to conclude appeals arising from the primaries in the coming days as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.

Additional Lawmakers Reportedly Affected In APC Primaries

• Julius Ihonvbere — Owan Federal Constituency (Edo)
• Eseosa Iyawe — Oredo Federal Constituency (Edo)
• Matthew Nwogu — Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala (Imo)
• Miriam Onuoha — Okigwe South (Imo)
• Harrison Nwadike — Isu/Njaba/Nkwerre/Nwangele (Imo)
• Emeka Martins Chinedu — Ahiazu/Ezinihitte (Imo)
• Ismail Kayode — Ifelodun/Oyun/Offa (Kwara)
• Mansur Musa Jega — Jega/Gwandu/Aleiro (Kebbi)
• Muktar Muhammad — Kazaure/Roni/Gwiwa/Yankwashi (Jigawa)
• Ibrahim Usman Auyo — Hadejia/Auyo/Kafin Hausa (Jigawa)
• Sa’adu Wada Taura — Ringim/Taura (Jigawa)
• Yusif Sa’idu Miga — Jahun/Miga (Jigawa)

Governors Tighten Grip As APC Reps Lose Return Bids (Full List)

Buhari’s Son Wins APC Reps Ticket In Katsina Landslide Victory

Yusuf Buhari, son of former President Muhammadu Buhari, has expressed satisfaction with his emergence as the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives candidate for the Daura/Sandamu/Mai’adua Federal Constituency in Katsina State, describing his victory as a landslide.

The APC primary election, held on Saturday, produced Yusuf as the party’s flag bearer after a heavily contested process that drew attention due to the high-profile nature of the candidates involved.

Yusuf, in a post shared on social media while the election was ongoing, said he secured a decisive mandate from delegates. He stated: “Alhamdulillah! We have secured a landslide victory with 5,849 votes, defeating our opponent who polled just 21 votes. This overwhelming mandate is a clear demonstration of the trust, confidence and support of our people,” while thanking supporters for their backing.

At the conclusion of the exercise, the Chairman of the constituency APC primary election committee, Lawan Garba, officially announced that Yusuf Buhari polled 17,342 votes to defeat his closest rival, Auwalu Musa Daura, who scored 480 votes, confirming him as the party’s candidate for the 2027 House of Representatives election.

However, the outcome was immediately rejected by Auwalu Musa Daura, son of former DSS Director-General Lawan Daura, who alleged irregularities in the exercise. He claimed that the primary election did not follow APC guidelines and insisted that many participants were not registered party members, describing the process as flawed.

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Speaking in an interview with DCL Hausa shortly after the election, Yusuf Buhari described the process as peaceful and transparent, insisting that there was no violence or disruption during voting. He added that aggrieved candidates were free to seek legal or party-level redress if dissatisfied with the outcome.

“I thank Allah and will continue to appreciate the good people of Daura/Sandamu/Mai’Adua for coming out to vote for me,” he said, while also calling for unity within the party.

Yusuf added that he intends to carry all stakeholders along, including his opponents, in preparation for the general elections, stressing that his ambition represents a youth-driven movement aimed at increasing youth participation in politics.

The Daura/Sandamu/Mai’adua constituency is a politically significant stronghold in Katsina State, the home base of the Buhari political family, making the outcome particularly notable in the state’s political landscape.

The APC primaries in the state featured several competitive races, but Yusuf Buhari’s contest attracted significant public attention due to his family background and the involvement of other politically connected aspirants.

Party officials maintained that the exercise was conducted in line with APC guidelines and was largely peaceful across polling units, setting the stage for Yusuf Buhari’s participation in the 2027 general elections.

Buhari’s Son Wins APC Reps Ticket In Katsina Landslide Victory

Amaewhule, Other Wike Loyalists Sweep Rivers APC Reps Primaries

Loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, swept the All Progressives Congress House of Representatives primaries in Rivers State on Saturday, consolidating their influence within the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The primaries, conducted across the 13 federal constituencies in the state, produced several prominent figures aligned with Wike’s political structure, including Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule.

The results were officially announced at the APC secretariat in Port Harcourt by the Chairman of the House of Representatives Primary Election Committee, Wahab Owokoniran, who described the exercise as peaceful and orderly despite political tensions in the state.

Amaewhule, one of the leading figures in the pro-Wike camp during the prolonged Rivers political crisis, emerged unopposed as the APC candidate for Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency 1 after polling 17,968 votes.

Declaring the result, Owokoniran said, “Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule having satisfied the requirement of the APC constitution and guidelines and scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner.”

The outcome of the primaries further highlighted the growing dominance of Wike’s allies within the Rivers APC amid the lingering political rift between the former governor and his estranged successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Before the primaries, the party screened aspirants and reportedly disqualified four individuals linked to Governor Fubara, including three serving members of the House of Representatives, a move that triggered criticism from some political stakeholders in the state.

Only 20 aspirants were eventually cleared to participate in the exercise.

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Among other notable winners was Dumnamene Dekor, who retained influence in Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency by defeating Israel Ngbuelo with 17,073 votes against 1,220.

Cyril Hart clinched the APC ticket for Degema-Bonny Federal Constituency after polling 7,203 votes to defeat Philemon Tombodiea, who secured 1,020 votes.

Felix Nweke emerged unopposed in Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo Federal Constituency with 18,605 votes, while Isobo Solomon defeated Luke Enerine in Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru Federal Constituency after polling 11,303 votes against 954.

In Ahoada West/Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Federal Constituency, Chukwuemele Obuzor won unopposed with 15,626 votes.

Fredrick Apiafi also secured victory unopposed in Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency after polling 8,550 votes.

Other winners included Chibuzor Nwamaka in Etche-Omuma Federal Constituency, Joy Nyebuchi in Ikwerre-Emuoha Federal Constituency, Blessing Amadi in Port Harcourt Constituency 2, Linda Steward in Okrika/Ogu-Bolo Federal Constituency and Solomon Bob in Abua-Odual/Ahoada East Federal Constituency.

Igwe Precious equally emerged candidate for Port Harcourt Federal Constituency after polling 5,885 votes as the sole aspirant.

Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, including the Rivers Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Johnson Sinikiem, monitored the exercise at the party secretariat.

The committee temporarily suspended proceedings twice while awaiting collation of results from some constituencies, including Port Harcourt, Khana/Gokana, Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru and Degema-Bonny.

Following the exercise, Owokoniran praised party members for conducting what he described as a violence-free primary despite widespread perceptions of political instability in Rivers State.

“This is the final declaration. We have declared 13 out of 13 federal constituency results. We want to let the whole world know that the election was conducted in a very peaceful atmosphere,” he stated.

He added that there was no rancour or violence during the process, contrary to fears that political tensions in Rivers could disrupt the primaries.

The Rivers APC Publicity Secretary, Chibike Ikenga, also commended party members for maintaining order and urged victorious aspirants to remain humble ahead of the general elections.

“That you have won today doesn’t mean you have won the general election,” Ikenga said, while assuring aggrieved aspirants that the party would work towards reconciliation and unity.

Political observers noted that most of the successful aspirants are associated with the “Rainbow Coalition” or “Joint Coalition,” a political alliance reportedly designed to unite APC and PDP supporters in Rivers State in support of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

The latest development is expected to further deepen the power struggle between the camps loyal to Wike and Governor Fubara, whose political relationship collapsed barely months after the governor assumed office in 2023.

Analysts believe the primaries have strengthened Wike’s hold on the APC structure in Rivers State while raising fresh questions about Fubara’s political future ahead of the next election cycle.

Amaewhule, Other Wike Loyalists Sweep Rivers APC Reps Primaries