50+ APC Lawmakers Lose Seats in Major Primary Upsets
At least 50 sitting federal lawmakers lost their APC primaries Saturday, marking one of the largest legislative turnovers since 2015 and intensifying internal party competition eight months ahead of 2027 elections. While Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu retained their seats, several ranking members fell, exposing strong anti-incumbent sentiment and governors' decisive role in candidate selection.
Major casualties include House Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere in Edo (finished third with 1,005 votes), veteran Nicholas Mutu (served since 1999), and five of eight incumbents in Cross River State. Delta, Ogun, and Ekiti also recorded multiple losses, while results in Ondo remain delayed due to internal disagreements.
The scale of losses underscores governors' growing dominance over legislative incumbency, though it's unclear how this affects President Tinubu's core loyalists. Political analysts note the exits could reshape leadership dynamics in the 11th Assembly. APC now faces reconciling aggrieved aspirants to prevent defections or legal battles that could undermine 2027 campaign cohesion.
Disputes marred several states, with Ekiti aspirants claiming manipulation and Ondo experiencing committee disagreements. The APC National Working Committee has not issued comprehensive responses on conduct.