By David Lawani, Abuja
The All Progressives Congress House of Representatives primaries held across Nigeria on Saturday triggered major political upsets within the ruling party, toppling influential lawmakers, strengthening governor-backed camps and ushering in a new generation of political contenders ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The nationwide exercise, regarded as the first major internal electoral battle within the APC ahead of 2027, exposed shifting power blocs across several states as old political structures weakened under intense grassroots contests and strategic alliances.
From Lagos to Rivers, Edo to Imo, the primaries produced dramatic victories for entrenched political figures while ending the ambitions of several powerful incumbents and celebrity aspirants.
Among the biggest winners was Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, who secured another APC ticket to seek re-election, further cementing his influence within the ruling party and the National Assembly hierarchy.
Also recording a significant victory was Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who emerged unopposed for the Bende Federal Constituency seat in Abia State, consolidating his standing as one of the APC’s strongest figures in the South-East.
In Lagos State, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, clinched the APC ticket for Agege Federal Constituency unopposed, extending his political dominance beyond the state legislature into the national arena.
Reacting to his victory, Obasa said the outcome reflected the confidence party members and residents had in his leadership.
“I do not take this mandate for granted. It is a responsibility I accept with humility and total commitment to continue serving our people diligently,” he stated.
Veteran lawmaker James Faleke also retained his grip on the Ikeja/Ojodu Federal Constituency ticket, stretching his long-standing influence within Lagos APC politics, while several other established figures scaled through the primaries across the state.
*How Wike’s joint coalition machine swept Rivers
The political structure loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, tightened its grip on Rivers State politics on Saturday as allies of the former governor swept the APC House of Representatives primaries across the state’s federal constituencies.
The exercise, conducted in all 13 federal constituencies, produced candidates largely aligned with Wike’s “Rainbow Coalition” or “Joint Coalition” political arrangement — a strategy designed to fuse APC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) interests in support of President Bola Tinubu’s second-term ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At the centre of the victories was Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, who secured the APC ticket for Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency after polling 17,968 votes as the sole aspirant.
Declaring the result at the APC secretariat in Port Harcourt, Chairman of the State APC House of Representatives Primary Election Committee, Wahab Owokoniran, said Amaewhule satisfied all constitutional requirements of the party.
“In this case, we only have one aspirant, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule. He scored 17,968 votes,” Owokoniran announced.
“Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, having satisfied the requirements of the APC constitution and guidelines and scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner of the primary election and returned elected as the party’s House of Representatives candidate for Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency.”
The committee received and collated results from across the state at the APC secretariat amid tight security and the presence of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), including the Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Johnson Sinikiem.
Although the exercise experienced brief recesses during collation, APC officials insisted the primaries were peaceful and orderly despite heightened political tension in the state.
Several constituencies recorded landslide victories for Wike loyalists, while others produced unopposed candidates.
In Port Harcourt Federal Constituency 1, Igwe Precious emerged unchallenged with 5,885 votes, while Felix Nwaeke polled 18,605 votes as the sole aspirant for Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo Federal Constituency.
Serving lawmaker Dumnamene Dekor defeated Israel Ngbuelo in the Khana/Gokana contest after polling 17,073 votes against his rival’s 1,220 votes.
Similarly, Cyril Hart clinched the APC ticket for Degema-Bonny Federal Constituency after defeating Philemon Tombodiea by 7,203 votes to 1,020.
In Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru Federal Constituency, Isobo Solomon secured victory with 11,303 votes, defeating Luke Enerine, who scored 954 votes.
Other victorious aspirants included Chukwuemele Obuzor for Ahoada West/Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Federal Constituency with 15,626 votes; Frederick Apiafi for Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro with 8,550 votes; and Solomon Bob, who polled 16,079 votes unopposed for Abua-Odual/Ahoada East Federal Constituency.
In Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency, Chibuzor Nwamaka defeated Queen Obasi after polling 10,414 votes against 2,123.
In comparison, Joy Nyebuchi won the Ikwerre/Emuoha contest with 13,704 votes to defeat Lawrence Ogbor, who secured 2,030 votes.
Blessing Amadi also emerged unopposed for Port Harcourt Federal Constituency 2 with 5,674 votes, while Linda Steward defeated Tekena Ikaki in Okrika/Ogu-Bolo Federal Constituency after polling 12,247 votes against 388.
Speaking after the declaration of results, Owokoniran described the exercise as one of the most peaceful political contests he had witnessed, dismissing widespread perceptions of Rivers as a politically volatile state.
“We have declared 13 out of 13 federal constituency results. We want to let the whole world know that the election was conducted in a very peaceful atmosphere,” he stated.
“There was no rancour, no infighting and no problem whatsoever contrary to the impression out there that Rivers State is violent and there will always be crisis.
“Surprisingly, I was disappointed there was no form of violence. So congratulations to Rivers people, especially APC members.”
Owokoniran commended party members for their conduct and expressed optimism that the APC would carry the same momentum into the 2027 general elections.
“We believe this spirit will continue into the general election and by God’s grace our party will win the presidential election, the governorship and other elections in Rivers State,” he added.
Also reacting, Rivers APC Publicity Secretary, Chibike Ikenga, urged victorious aspirants to remain humble and work towards reconciliation within the party.
“For those who didn’t make it, it doesn’t mean they cannot make it tomorrow. Politics is like that,” Ikenga said.
“Our party has mechanisms to unite members, calm frayed nerves and ensure everybody rallies round the candidates to defeat the opposition in the general elections.”
He further cautioned the winners against premature celebration.
“That you won today does not mean you have won the general election. They must remain humble and work to bring everybody together so that APC can win at all levels,” he said.
*Winners in other states
In Kwara State, the political structure loyal to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq tightened its grip on the APC after former Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Dr Rafiu Ajakaye, defeated incumbent lawmaker Ismail Tijani in a major upset.
Another incumbent, Yinka Aluko, also lost his return ticket to Abdulquawiy Olododo, further underlining the scale of political realignments in the state.
Ondo State produced one of the biggest shocks of the nationwide exercise after political newcomer Olumuyiwa Daramola defeated incumbent lawmaker Jimi Odimayo in the Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency contest by 6,547 votes to 827.
In Kogi State, Leke Abejide strengthened his political relevance after securing the APC ticket following his defection from the African Democratic Congress, ADC, proving his influence extended beyond party affiliations.
Political dynasties also maintained visibility during the exercise as Olumide Osoba secured victory in Ogun State to sustain the Osoba political legacy.
*Losers kick, cry foul
But while several political heavyweights celebrated victories, the primaries also consumed some of the APC’s most influential figures.
The biggest casualty was House Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere, who failed to secure the APC ticket for Owan East/Owan West Federal Constituency in Edo State despite his strategic position within the National Assembly leadership.
His defeat was widely seen as one of the most shocking outcomes of the nationwide exercise and a reflection of growing grassroots resistance against entrenched political structures.
In Delta State, long-serving lawmaker Nicholas Mutu lost his bid to return to the House of Representatives, ending a legislative career that began in 1999.
The primaries also dealt a major blow to celebrity businessman Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, who failed in his attempt to secure the APC ticket for Orlu/Orsu/Oru East Federal Constituency in Imo State.
The defeat underscored the limits of celebrity influence in party delegate contests dominated by grassroots political structures.
Imo State witnessed one of the bloodiest outcomes for incumbents, as four serving lawmakers — Matthew Nwogu, Miriam Odinaka Onuoha, Harrison Nwadike and Emeka Martins Chinedu — all lost their re-election bids in a sweeping political shake-up within the state APC.
There were also reports of disputes and allegations of manipulation in parts of Kaduna, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory as aggrieved aspirants accused party leaders of attempting to impose preferred candidates.
An Abuja aspirant, Abubakar Giri, warned against consensus arrangements in the FCT, insisting that party members must be allowed to determine candidates through open contests.
“Consensus will not work in the Federal Capital Territory,” he declared.
Despite pockets of tension, the APC leadership described the primaries as largely successful and reflective of the party’s internal democracy.
However, political analysts believe the exercise has fundamentally altered the balance of power within the ruling party, strengthened emerging political blocs and weakened the grip of several long-standing lawmakers ahead of what is expected to be an intense 2027 electoral battle.
