APC Primaries Shockwaves: Over 50 Reps, Top Senators Crash Out Ahead Of 2027 Elections

Nigeria’s political landscape is already witnessing major upheaval ahead of the 2027 general elections, with more than 50 serving members of the House of Representatives and several senators reportedly losing out during the All Progressives Congress, APC, primaries.

The development has triggered outrage, silent protests, and threats of legal action from lawmakers and aspirants who claim the primaries were manipulated in favour of preferred candidates and political power blocs.

Across several states, influential lawmakers who once appeared politically untouchable suddenly found themselves pushed out of the race, exposing deep cracks within the ruling party and highlighting the growing influence of governors and party structures in determining political survival.

Among the high-profile casualties are House Majority Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, Nicholas Mutu, Ovie Omo-Agege, and Ned Nwoko. Some of the affected lawmakers had spent years in the National Assembly and were widely expected to retain their tickets with ease.

In Cross River State alone, five serving House of Representatives members reportedly failed to secure return tickets. They include Mike Etaba, Alex Egbona, Godwin Offiono, Emil Inyang, and Bassey Akiba. Similar political setbacks were recorded in Delta, Ogun, Rivers, Enugu, and Ekiti states, where incumbents lost fiercely contested primaries.

The outcome of the APC primaries has also intensified accusations of irregularities. Several aspirants alleged that voting did not take place in some wards, while others claimed figures were allocated before delegates arrived at voting centres.

Kogi East Senator Jibrin Isah openly challenged the process after losing out, accusing party leaders of orchestrating a flawed exercise. In a video that has since gone viral, the senator warned that “the battle line has been drawn,” signalling what could become a deeper internal crisis within the party.

Political observers say the losses reveal a harsh reality within Nigerian politics — loyalty to the party leadership or presidency may not guarantee political protection when state-level interests shift.

For months, many of the affected lawmakers strongly defended controversial government policies, including fuel subsidy removal, fiscal reforms, and electoral amendments championed by President Bola Tinubu’s administration. However, the primaries have shown that influence at the grassroots and alignment with state power brokers remain the real determinants of survival.

Former Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini, had earlier warned lawmakers that loopholes in the Electoral Act could eventually be used against them. He argued that failure to secure stronger protections for electronic transmission of results could expose even incumbents to political manipulation during party contests and elections.

As tension continues to build within the APC, analysts believe the fallout from the primaries could weaken party unity ahead of the 2027 elections. Many aggrieved politicians are now weighing their options, including court battles, defections, and quiet rebellion within the party structure.