APC Primaries Shake House of Reps as 12 Lawmakers Lose Return Tickets

No fewer than 12 serving members of the House of Representatives were denied return tickets during the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries conducted across several states ahead of the 2027 general elections, in what has emerged as one of the biggest upsets of the party’s nomination process.

Among the high-profile casualties was the House Majority Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, whose bid for a third term in the House suffered a setback after he lost the APC ticket for Owan Federal Constituency in Edo State.

Ihonvbere was defeated by former Edo State Commissioner for Mining, Andrew Ijegbai, amid indications that political leaders in the constituency had opted for a zoning arrangement between Owan East and Owan West.

The outcome marked a major political twist for the lawmaker, who has remained one of the most influential voices in the Green Chamber and a key figure within the ruling party.

Another upset was recorded in Edo State where Eseosa Iyawe lost the APC ticket for Oredo Federal Constituency to former Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu.

Iyawe, who was elected into the House on the platform of the Labour Party before defecting to the APC, failed to secure the confidence of party delegates during the exercise.

Imo State also witnessed a wave of defeats for incumbent lawmakers as four serving members lost their bids to return to the National Assembly under the APC platform.

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.

The losses have further altered the political landscape in the state, with new contenders emerging ahead of the general elections.

In Kwara State, Ismail Kayode, the incumbent lawmaker representing Ifelodun/Oyun/Offa Federal Constituency, also failed to clinch the party’s ticket.

He was defeated by Rafiu Ajakaye, former Chief Press Secretary to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, whose emergence was seen as a significant political victory within the state chapter of the APC.

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

His defeat followed a consensus arrangement that produced former Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Jafar Ahmed Jega, as the party’s candidate.

In Jigawa State, four incumbent lawmakers equally lost their return tickets during the primaries, underscoring the intense internal competition within the ruling party.

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

The outcome of the APC primaries across the affected states has continued to generate reactions within political circles, especially with the scale of upsets involving ranking lawmakers and influential party figures.

Political observers say the results reflect the growing influence of local political alliances, zoning considerations, and shifting power blocs within the ruling party as preparations intensify for the 2027 elections.