The House of Representatives primaries of the All Progressives Congress held on Saturday, May 16, 2026, produced widespread upsets that have reshaped early expectations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While some established figures secured victories, several sitting lawmakers lost their tickets in defeats that underscored the strength of grassroots delegates in internal contests.
The exercise, intended to produce candidates for the 360 federal constituencies, unfolded amid a shift from preferred consensus arrangements to direct primaries in many states due to internal pushback.
In the broader political context, these primaries test the ruling party’s cohesion ahead of a high-stakes cycle.
President Bola Tinubu’s administration faces economic challenges and opposition criticism, while APC governors and power blocs seek to consolidate influence.
The President had earlier urged party leaders to adopt direct primaries where consensus failed, warning against divisive internal politics.
A brief postponement followed logistical challenges and complaints, moving the exercise from its original Friday schedule. Voting was largely orderly in strongholds with clear frontrunners, while closely contested areas recorded disputes and tension.
Positions ContestedÂ
The weekend’s primaries focused primarily on House of Representatives tickets. Senate primaries are slated for Monday, May 18, with state assembly on May 20, governorship on May 21, and presidential on May 23.
Meanwhile, the Reps polls offered the first major glimpse into grassroots sentiment and internal power plays across Nigeria’s federal constituencies
Comeback Wins and Major Victories
Several prominent figures recorded notable victories and comebacks, reinforcing both continuity and shifting influence within the party.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas (Kaduna) secured a strong position for a potential fifth term, reinforcing his leadership.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu (Abia) also won convincingly in Bende Federal Constituency. In Katsina, Yusuf Buhari, son of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, clinched the ticket in a symbolic victory.
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Other notable successes included Ndudi Elumelu (Delta), who defeated a recent defector in Aniocha/Oshimili; Leke Abejide (Kogi), the former ADC lawmaker who dominated Yagba; Olumide Osoba (Ogun), extending his family’s legacy; and James Faleke (Lagos), a veteran who held firm in Ikeja.
Rafiu Ajakaye, former Chief Press Secretary to Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, defeated incumbent Tijani Ismail Kayode in Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun.
In Ondo, Olumuyiwa Daramola (son of a former minister) floored sitting member Jimi Odimayo. In Niger, Adamu Abubakar, brother of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, won a landslide.
Elsewhere in Lagos, Moses Olanrewaju won in Amuwo Odofin/FESTAC with a dominant 380 votes. Mudashiru Obasa, Lagos State House Speaker, emerged unopposed in Agege.
In Gombe, Ali Isa retained Balanga/Billiri. Rivers saw Martin Amaewhule (State Assembly Speaker) and other Wike-aligned figures sweep key seats.
Incumbents Suffer Heavy Defeats
The most striking feature of the primaries was the scale of losses suffered by sitting lawmakers.
In a stunning development for the Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency in Delta, Hon. Nicholas Mutu’s historic 27-year tenure in the House of Representatives, ended with a defeat to former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Basil Ganagana. Ganagana secured a landslide victory with 14,000 votes against Mutu’s 1,093 votes.
Meanwhile, in Edo State, House Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere lost the Owan Federal Constituency ticket to Andrew Ijegbai. Another incumbent, Eseosa Iyawe, was also defeated in Oredo.
Imo State recorded some of the heaviest casualties, with multiple incumbents, including Matthew Nwogu, Miriam Onuoha, Harrison Nwadike, and Emeka Martins Chinedu, losing their tickets.
In Kwara State, Tijani Ismail Kayode reportedly suffered a major defeat in Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun. Reports also indicated he failed to secure votes in his home ward.
Socialite Pascal Okechukwu, known as Cubana Chief Priest, recorded a low vote count in his Imo bid, reflecting the unpredictability of delegate-driven contests
Allegations of Irregularities and Disputes
The primaries were marked by several complaints of irregularities in parts of the country.
Footage circulating on social media, which could not be independently verified by First Daily, showed alleged inconsistencies in delegate counting, including abrupt jumps in vote tallies in some locations.
In Ebonyi State, one widely shared clip, which could not be verified, appeared to show an electoral officer skipping from low figures to over 200 votes.
Similar allegations emerged in Rivers, Ondo, and parts of the North-Central, including claims of delegate exclusion, last-minute disqualifications, and disputed lists. In Ogun and Oyo, protests and walkouts were also reported.
Party officials maintained that most exercises reflected genuine delegate decisions where direct primaries were conducted.
Reactions From Aspirants and Party Leaders
Several defeated aspirants and their supporters expressed dissatisfaction with the process. Some in Edo and Imo hinted at possible political reconsiderations, while stakeholders in the North-Central criticised alleged monetisation of delegate influence.
The APC in Imo state has slated Monday, May 18, for aggrieved members to submit petitions regarding the conduct of the primaries.
President Bola Tinubu also called for restraint, urging winners to avoid provocation and losers to accept outcomes in the interest of party unity.
The All Progressives Congress National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka and other officials described the exercise as largely successful, stressing reconciliation efforts across state chapters.
Political Implications Ahead Of 2027
The primaries reflect both renewal and internal strain within the ruling party.
Direct primaries have strengthened grassroots influence but exposed deep factional divides between governors, national power blocs, and local structures.
The influx of new entrants alongside the exit of experienced lawmakers is expected to reshape the party’s House caucus.
Strong performances by certain incumbents and newcomers aligned with the centre may bolster Tinubu’s control, while upsets could embolden defectors or opposition parties like PDP and newer formations to exploit perceived divisions.
As preparations continue toward 2027, the handling of post-primary grievances will be critical. The outcome may either consolidate unity within the APC or deepen fractures that opposition parties could exploit.