– Senators Nwoko, Daniel, Izunaso, Udende, Zam, Mustapha, others affected
– Protests, violence trail exercise as Adegbonmire narrowly escapes attack in Ondo
– Omo-Agege, Ize-Iyamu, Zailani, Arise, others reject outcomes
The National Assembly primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have produced major political shocks, with at least 70 of the party’s 330 serving federal lawmakers reportedly failing to secure return tickets for the 2027 elections.
The development cuts across both chambers of the National Assembly as the ruling party continues its internal screening and ratification process ahead of the general elections.
Among those affected are lawmakers who defected to the APC from other political parties, including Rep Donatus Matthew, popularly known as “okada rider,” who left the Labour Party after winning election in Kaura Federal Constituency, Kaduna State. He was disqualified during the party’s screening exercise.
Other former LP lawmakers who joined the APC but lost out in the primaries include Esosa Iyawe (Oredo Federal Constituency), who lost to Dr. Paddy Iyamu; Senator Neda Imasuen (Edo South); Tochukwu Okere (Imo); Bassey Akiba (Cross River); and Daulyop Fom (Plateau), among others.
In the Senate, several serving lawmakers also failed to secure return tickets. They include Senators Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East), Diket Plang (Plateau Central), Osita Izunaso (Imo West), Emmanuel Udende (Benue North-East), Titus Zam (Benue West), Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central), Saliu Mustapha (Kwara), and Ned Nwoko (Delta North).
Party sources say the list is still subject to final ratification by the APC leadership, but early figures suggest that about 58 members of the House of Representatives and 12 senators may not be returning, especially as electoral timelines and party rules have limited options for switching platforms after the May 10 deadline.
PROTESTS AND TENSION ACROSS STATES
The primaries have been anything but calm. Across several states, there have been complaints, protests, and allegations of irregularities.
In Ondo State, things nearly turned tragic when Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (SAN), who represents Ondo Central, was attacked by suspected thugs during the senatorial primary.
The APC is also facing criticism over how some results were announced, with claims that certain committees declared winners without proper clearance from the national secretariat.
ADEGBONMIRE NARROWLY ESCAPES ATTACK IN ONDO
Senator Adegbonmire had a close shave with death during the exercise at Okilisa Ward 5 in Akure.
Eyewitnesses said armed men stormed the venue, fired shots, and targeted his vehicle after it became clear he was leading the counting.
The situation quickly descended into panic as delegates, officials, journalists, and supporters ran for safety. Some women were reportedly injured in the chaos.
The violence also spread fear to nearby Ebenezer Primary School, forcing parents to rush in and evacuate their children over fears of stray bullets.
Security operatives later restored order and evacuated the senator, bringing the exercise to an abrupt pause.
Speaking after the incident, Adegbonmire described the process as a “complete charade,” alleging intimidation and violence against his supporters.
He said everything was going peacefully until counting showed his line was leading.
“My supporters were about 400. There were three lines. Mine was in the middle. Once it became clear we were leading, thugs invaded, started shooting and even fired at my car,” he said.
ASPIRANTS REJECT RESULTS
Several aspirants have since rejected the outcomes of the primaries, insisting the process was not credible.
In Ondo Central, Olumuyiwa Adu alleged that armed men hijacked the exercise, saying the process was full of intimidation and imposition.
DELTA CONTROVERSY OVER RESULTS
There is also confusion in Delta State over how results of the Senate primaries were announced.
The APC National Secretariat has faulted primary committees for declaring winners at state collation centres instead of waiting for final approval from Abuja.
National Secretary of the party, Ajibola Basiru, said the committees went beyond their mandate.
He explained that while collation can happen at ward and local levels, final declaration must be done at the national headquarters to ensure transparency and proper review of complaints.
The development has created uncertainty around some reported victories, including those of Senators Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta North), Ede Dafinone (Delta Central), and Joel Onowakpo-Thomas (Delta South), as stakeholders await final confirmation.
APC APPEAL COMMITTEE RECEIVES PETITIONS
In Delta State, the APC Appeal Committee on National Assembly primaries says it has received five petitions from aggrieved aspirants.
Chairman of the committee, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ujam, said the complaints are already being reviewed in Asaba.
CROSS RIVER ASPIRANTS DISPUTE PRIMARY
In Cross River, two senatorial aspirants for Cross River Central have rejected the announced results.
Senator Eteng Jones Williams and Ms. Mary Ekpere insist no election took place across the 66 wards in the district.
They described the results circulating online as fake and misleading.
Williams said his team moved across all wards and saw no voting anywhere.
Ekpere also said she was not given voting materials or allowed to participate in any process.
ABDULRAZAQ EMERGES KWARA CENTRAL CANDIDATE
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has emerged unopposed as the APC candidate for Kwara Central Senatorial District.
The party said official announcement will be made alongside other House of Representatives results by the national secretariat.
JIMKUTA, MANU WIN IN TARABA
In Taraba State, Senators David Jimkuta (South) and Haruna Manu (Central) secured the APC tickets for the 2027 elections.
Jimkuta polled 29,880 votes to defeat his opponents, while Manu emerged after his main challenger stepped down.
However, tension remains in Taraba North, where results are yet to be released.
FADAHUNSI WINS, FADIYI LOSES IN OSUN
Senator Francis Fadahunsi has won the Osun East senatorial primary, while Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi lost in Osun Central.
Akin Ogunbiyi also defeated Gafar Amere to clinch the Osun West ticket.
Several House of Representatives candidates emerged through consensus arrangements across constituencies.
TWO BENUE SENATORS LOSE TICKETS
In Benue State, Senators Titus Zam and Emmanuel Udende failed to secure return tickets.
Zam finished third in his contest, while former Governor Gabriel Suswam defeated Udende convincingly.
Both senators have rejected the results, alleging manipulation.
ZAILANI REJECTS KADUNA PRIMARY
Former Kaduna Assembly Speaker Yusuf Zailani has rejected the senatorial primary in Kaduna Central, describing it as flawed and lacking transparency.
His campaign team said no voting materials were deployed across the district.
PROTESTS IN KOGI OVER BELLO’S PARTICIPATION
Tension erupted at the APC national secretariat in Abuja as stakeholders from Kogi Central protested the participation of former Governor Yahaya Bello in the senatorial primary.
They called for cancellation of the exercise, alleging irregularities and violation of party rules.
ZAMFARA WARNING OVER IMPOSITION
In Zamfara State, aspirant Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi has warned that alleged imposition of candidates could plunge the APC into another political crisis.
He said failure to follow due process could repeat the party’s 2019 electoral setback in the state.
ARISE REJECTS EKITI RESULT
Former Senator Ayo Arise has rejected the Ekiti North senatorial primary result, alleging manipulation and irregularities.
He insisted ward collation figures showed he won, contrary to official results that declared Senator Cyril Fasuyi winner.
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