Fresh tension has erupted within Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, as no fewer than 70 serving members of the National Assembly are now set to lose their seats ahead of the 2027 general elections following controversial party primaries across the country.
The crisis has triggered protests, allegations of imposition, violence, manipulated results and legal threats in several states, with many lawmakers and aspirants rejecting the outcomes of the exercise.
Among the most talked-about casualties is Rep. Donatus Matthew, popularly known as the “Okada Rider,” who defected from the Labour Party to the APC but was later disqualified from contesting the party’s primaries in Kaduna State.
Several former Labour Party lawmakers who recently joined the APC also failed to secure return tickets. They include Neda Imasuen, Esosa Iyawe, Tochukwu Okere, Bassey Akiba and Daulyop Fom.
Several sitting senators also lost out during the primaries or stepped down from the race. Those affected include Gbenga Daniel, Osita Izunaso, Saliu Mustapha, Ned Nwoko and Emmanuel Udende among others.
In Ondo State, violence broke out during the senatorial primary after armed thugs reportedly attacked supporters of Adeniyi Adegbonmire at his polling unit in Akure. Witnesses said gunshots were fired after it became obvious that the senator was leading in the vote count.
The attack caused panic in the area, forcing party members, journalists and residents to flee for safety, while nearby schools were also thrown into confusion as parents rushed to pick up their children over fears of stray bullets.
Reacting afterward, Adegbonmire described the entire exercise as a “complete charade,” alleging intimidation and coordinated violence against his supporters.
Meanwhile, confusion has continued to trail the outcome of the APC primaries in Delta State after the party’s National Working Committee reportedly faulted state officials for prematurely announcing winners without clearance from Abuja.
APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, warned that only the party headquarters has the authority to officially confirm final results after reviewing complaints and petitions from aggrieved aspirants.
The controversy has now cast doubt over reported victories by Ifeanyi Okowa, Ede Dafinone and Joel Onowakpo-Thomas.
In Cross River State, Senator Eteng Jones Williams and aspirant Mary Ekpere rejected results circulating online, insisting no primary election actually took place across the district’s wards.
Benue State also witnessed major political upsets as former governor Gabriel Suswam defeated incumbent Senator Emmanuel Udende in a landslide victory, while Senator Titus Zam lost his own re-election bid after finishing third during the primaries.
In Kogi State, protesters stormed the APC national secretariat in Abuja demanding the cancellation of the senatorial primary involving former governor Yahaya Bello. The protesters argued that Bello was not properly cleared to participate in the contest.
Elsewhere in Zamfara, APC aspirant Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi warned that the party could face another legal disaster similar to the 2019 Supreme Court ruling if alleged imposition of candidates continues unchecked.
Despite the controversies, some APC figures emerged victorious in their respective contests. In Kwara State, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq secured the Kwara Central senatorial ticket unopposed, while serving senators David Jimkuta and Haruna Manu retained their tickets in Taraba State.
With petitions, protests and allegations of irregularities spreading across multiple states, the APC primaries have now exposed deep internal divisions within the ruling party as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.