The All Progressives Congress House of Representatives primaries ahead of the 2027 elections have sparked widespread controversy across several states, following the defeat of no fewer than 26 incumbent lawmakers seeking re-election tickets.
The exercise, conducted in states including Rivers, Edo, Lagos, Kwara, Benue, Plateau, Ekiti, Imo, Cross River and Ogun, exposed deep cracks within the ruling party as political camps battled for influence over candidate selections. The primaries were also marred by complaints of manipulation, forced consensus arrangements, disqualifications and alleged interference by powerful party figures.
Several lawmakers who lost their tickets have rejected the outcomes and threatened legal action, insisting the process lacked transparency and fairness.
APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka disclosed that 14 aspirants were screened out for failing to meet requirements outlined by the party. However, he did not state the specific reasons for their disqualification.
Among those barred from the race were serving lawmakers Iduma Igariwey, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, Anderson Allison and Boma Goodhead. Others affected include Adefisoye Tajudeen, Seun Ajongbolo, Morufu Ibrahim, Bashir Bello and retired Air Commodore John Opara.
In Rivers State, the development further heightened tensions within the APC, where supporters loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara remain divided against allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Prominent politicians believed to have ties with Governor Fubara, including former Secretary to the State Government Tammy Danagogo and ex-presidential aspirant Tein Jackrich, were denied clearance. Meanwhile, figures associated with Wike’s camp, such as former PDP chairman Felix Obuah and Senator Allwell Onyesoh, secured approval to contest.
Party insiders alleged the screening process was used to settle political scores ahead of the next general election.
In Edo State, House Leader Julius Ihonvbere suffered a major setback after losing his party ticket for Owan Federal Constituency to former commissioner Andrew Ijegbai. Ihonvbere dismissed the result, claiming the election was manipulated and vowed to challenge it through the party’s appeal process.
Another Edo lawmaker, Esosa Iyawe, also protested after losing the Oredo seat to Paddy Iyamu. He accused party officials of violating democratic principles and alleged that some of his supporters were intimidated during the exercise.
Similarly, Labour Party defector Henry Okojie emerged unopposed in his constituency, while other aspirants questioned the fairness of consensus arrangements adopted in several areas.
In Kwara State, Tijani Kayode openly challenged the credibility of the primary after reportedly polling zero votes against Rafiu Ajakaye, who is believed to have support from associates of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. Kayode questioned whether any real election took place and hinted at taking the matter to court.
Political tension also grew within Kwara South, where party stakeholders opposed alleged attempts to secure another Senate term for Deputy Senate Leader Lola Ashiru. The group instead endorsed former Federal Character Commission chairman Muheebat Dankaka.
In Ogun State, Deputy Chief Whip Isiaka Ibrahim accused Governor Dapo Abiodun of imposing a preferred candidate after losing his constituency ticket to former commissioner Motunrayo Adeleye. According to him, no actual primary election took place, describing the exercise as merely an “affirmation” process arranged in favour of a chosen aspirant.
