APC crisis deepens as 26 Reps’ members fail to secure return tickets

Primary elections conducted by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Party prior to the 2027 general election have thrown the party into one of its most severe internal political crises in recent times, after the loss of at least 26 current parliamentarians amid allegations of manipulations and agreements.

In Rivers State, Edo State, Imo State, Lagos State, Ogun State, Benue State, Ekiti State, Kwara State, Plateau State, and Cross River State, among others, the APC primaries revealed serious rifts in the party as governors, political godfathers, and powerful interest groups fought to control nominations.

Consequences of the primaries process have resulted in threatened legal actions by disgruntled lawmakers and aspirants, accusing the party of non-adherence to democratic principles.

According to Felix Morka, APC National Publicity Secretary, 14 aspirants were disqualified in the APC primary screening exercise due to their failure to satisfy the set criteria.

Among those disqualified include serving lawmakers Iduma Igariwey representing Ebonyi State, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, Anderson Allison and Boma Goodhead representing Rivers State.

The move has also increased political tension in Rivers State where supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister for FCT, Nyesom Wike are still vying for supremacy towards 2027.

Insiders at the party said the screening process was used by APC to eliminate opponents as they struggle to gain more control in the state branch.

In Edo State, the House Majority Leader, Prof Julius Ihonvbere was dealt a bitter blow when he lost out on the Owan Federal Constituency Ticket to Andrew Ijegbai, former Commissioner for Mining.

Rejecting the outcome, Ihonvbere insisted there was no proper election and vowed to challenge the process through the party’s appeal mechanism.

Another Edo lawmaker, Esosa Iyawe, also lost his Oredo Federal Constituency ticket to former Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu.

Iyawe, who defected from the Labour Party to the APC in 2024, alleged irregularities and violence during the exercise, claiming some of his supporters were attacked and prevented from participating.

In Kwara State, tension escalated after the lawmaker representing Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency, Tijani Kayode, reportedly scored zero votes in the primary won by Rafiu Ajakaye, an ally of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

Kayode questioned the credibility of the exercise and hinted at possible legal action, arguing that no proper primary election took place.

In Ogun State, several serving lawmakers lost their tickets amid accusations that Governor Dapo Abiodun imposed preferred candidates through consensus arrangements.

Among those affected was Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Isiaka Ibrahim, who lost the Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency ticket to former Commissioner for Women Affairs, Motunrayo Adeleye.

Isiaka accused the governor of orchestrating an affirmation process rather than conducting a genuine primary election.

Other lawmakers who lost in Ogun include Abiodun Akinlade, Tunji Akinosi, Femi Ogunbanwo and Adesola Elegbeji.

The political atmosphere in Ogun became even more heated after loyalists of former governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, announced their withdrawal from the senatorial primary over alleged threats of violence.

In Imo State, four serving lawmakers — Matthew Nwogu, Miriam Onuoha, Harrison Nwadike and Emeka Chinedu — lost their return tickets during primaries conducted using the Option A4 voting system.

Despite her defeat, Onuoha accepted the outcome and reaffirmed loyalty to Governor Hope Uzodimma and the APC leadership.

In Lagos State, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, displaced incumbent lawmaker Hameed Adewale in Agege Federal Constituency, while Kafilat Ogbara reportedly lost the Kosofe ticket to council chairman Moyosore Oshinowo.

Several aspirants rejected the outcomes, alleging fabricated results and manipulation of figures.

The crisis also spread to Ekiti State where three serving House members lost their return tickets.

Those affected include Niyi Ojuawo, Akinlayo Kolawole and Biodun Omoleye.

The contest involving House spokesperson Akin Rotimi and former lawmaker Bimbo Daramola for Ekiti North I was declared inconclusive following violence and irregularities.

Aggrieved aspirants described the exercise as a “sham” and “disgrace to democracy,” alleging fabricated results and deliberate exclusion of supporters.

In Plateau State, violence during the APC primary election in Mangu Local Government Area turned deadly after a resident identified as Sani Abdullahi was reportedly killed by a stray bullet during clashes between protesters and security operatives.

The unrest followed delays caused by the absence of electoral officers at the venue.

Outspoken lawmaker Yusuf Gagdi also lost his return bid to Dr. John Tongshinen.

In Benue State, the APC primaries reflected the growing power struggle between Governor Hyacinth Alia and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.

Most victorious candidates were reportedly loyal to Governor Alia, while several aspirants linked to Akume lost out.

However, Mrs Regina Akume, wife of the SGF, secured victory in Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency, while Blessing Onuh, daughter of former Senate President David Mark, won the APC ticket for Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency.

In Kebbi, Kano, Jigawa and Katsina states, consensus arrangements and negotiations also sidelined several incumbents.

Lawmakers including Mansur Musa Jega, Muktar Muhammad, Ibrahim Auyo, Sa’adu Taura and Yusif Miga lost their return tickets during the exercise.

In Cross River State, at least five serving lawmakers reportedly failed to secure return tickets, further underlining the scale of incumbency losses nationwide.

Despite the widespread controversies, some lawmakers successfully secured return tickets.

Among them are Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu in Abia State, Mukhtar Betara in Borno State, Olumide Osoba in Ogun State, Akinola Alabi in Oyo State and Victor Abang in Cross River State.

The APC leadership has urged aggrieved aspirants to embrace the outcomes in the interest of party unity ahead of the 2027 elections.

However, with multiple allegations of irregularities, violence, consensus imposition and manipulation trailing the exercise, political observers believe the fallout from the primaries may continue to generate serious internal battles within the ruling party in the months ahead.