The All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primaries produced major political victories and shocking upsets across Nigeria on Thursday, with Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Yusuf Buhari and Lagos Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa securing tickets for the 2027 elections.
Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, James Faleke, also retained his ticket, while several serving lawmakers won fresh endorsements to return to the Green Chamber of the National Assembly.
Among the biggest headlines of the primaries was the defeat of House Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere, whose bid for a third term in Edo State ended after he lost to former Commissioner for Mining, Andrew Ijegbai.
Four serving lawmakers from Imo State also failed to secure return tickets, while celebrity businessman Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, reportedly lost his bid for an APC ticket.
In Kaduna State, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen emerged unopposed for the Zaria Federal Constituency ticket. Reacting after his endorsement, Abbas thanked party members across the constituency for what he described as an overwhelming show of confidence.
“This honour comes with an even greater responsibility to serve our people with dedication, sincerity, and results-driven representation,” the Speaker said.
The primaries, however, were not without controversy. In parts of Kaduna and Abuja, party members protested alleged manipulation and attempts to impose candidates through consensus arrangements.
Supporters of aspirant Abdulaziz Abubakar Kaka accused APC officials in Kaduna North of disenfranchising voters by allegedly failing to deliver election materials to key polling centres.
“Our people were totally disenfranchised from exercising their electoral rights,” spokesperson Usman Alkali said, describing the process as “a rape on democracy.”
In the Federal Capital Territory, APC stakeholders and supporters rejected efforts to adopt a consensus candidate for the Abuja South House of Representatives race after negotiations among party elders collapsed.
Former Gwagwalada Area Council Chairman Abubakar Jibrin Giri criticised the consensus move, alleging that some recent defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party were attempting to hijack the process.
“Consensus will not work in the Federal Capital Territory,” Giri declared.
Meanwhile, Yusuf Buhari, son of late former President Muhammadu Buhari, recorded a landslide victory in the Sandamu/Daura/Mai’adua contest, polling 5,849 votes against his opponent’s 21 votes.
“Thank you to everyone who stood with us, prayed and voted for this victory,” Yusuf Buhari said after emerging victorious.
In Lagos, Mudashiru Obasa secured the APC ticket for Agege unopposed, while James Faleke retained his Ikeja/Ojodu seat. Other winners included Jimi Benson in Ikorodu, Fuad Laguda in Surulere and Mayor Dele Oshinowo in Kosofe.
Delta State also saw several notable victories, including former Minority Leader Ndudi Elumelu, who clinched the APC ticket for Aniocha/Oshimili. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori praised the exercise, describing it as peaceful and transparent.
In Ogun State, Olumide Osoba, son of former governor Olusegun Osoba, secured the APC ticket for Owode/Abeokuta North/Odeda, while in Kogi, former ADC lawmaker Leke Abejide won the Yagba ticket unopposed after defecting to the APC.
Elsewhere, violence disrupted the Jos South/Jos East primaries in Plateau State after suspected thugs invaded the venue during vote counting, forcing security agents to evacuate electoral officials.
Despite isolated tensions and allegations of irregularities, APC leaders in several states commended the primaries as largely peaceful and successful ahead of preparations for the 2027 general elections.
