The All Progressives Congress (APC) held its senatorial primaries on May 18, 2026, ahead of the 2027 National Assembly elections. The exercise saw several incumbent senators lose their return tickets, while others were disqualified. The anti-defection provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, which were intended to curb opposition defections, backfired on some of their architects.
Prominent Lawmakers Defeated
Senator Ned Nwoko of Delta North Senatorial District lost to former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa by a wide margin. In Edo South, Senator Neda Imasuen was defeated by former House of Representatives member Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama. Senator Jibrin Isah, known as Echocho, lost in Kogi East to Dr. Erico Ameh.
Disqualifications
Several serving APC senators were disqualified from the primaries during screening. Those affected include Senators Ipalibo Banigo (Rivers West), Benson Agadaga (Bayelsa East), and Abdulhamid Madori (Jigawa North West).
Background of Anti-Defection Law
In April 2026, the House of Representatives moved to criminalize dual membership of political parties. Many APC lawmakers believed the measure was aimed at curbing opposition defections ahead of the 2027 elections, following former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi's defection from the PDP to the Labour Party before the 2023 presidential election. The National Assembly, working with the APC-led Executive, introduced sweeping amendments to the Electoral Act 2026, including stricter anti-defection provisions. Section 83 barred politicians from switching parties after membership registers had been submitted to INEC for the same election cycle. The amendment was passed in a single plenary session on March 11, 2026.
Senators Who Secured Tickets
Despite the upsets, several incumbent senators secured return tickets through consensus or direct contests. Senate President Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom North-West) polled 121,425 votes, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin (Kano North) and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central) also won. Borno State senators Kaka Shehu Lawan, Tahir Monguno, and Ali Ndume secured tickets, as did former Senate President Ahmad Lawan in Yobe North. Senator Orji Uzor Kalu won in Abia North with 65,651 votes against Philip Nto's 2,103 votes.
Violence and Disputes
Violence and protests characterized the primaries in several states. In Ondo State, suspected political thugs disrupted voting in Ondo Central, with gunshots and attacks on supporters of Senator Adeniyi Adegbomire. Adegbomire described the exercise as a "charade" and alleged thugs were deployed to intimidate his supporters. Aspirant Olumuyiwa Adu also rejected the process, claiming government officials prevented delegates from voting for non-preferred candidates. A pressure group, Ondo APC Concern, petitioned the party's national leadership to cancel the primaries in the state, calling the process a "kangaroo" exercise marred by violence and interference.
In contrast, Lagos State conducted peaceful primaries, with Senators Tokunbo Abiru, Wasiu Eshilokun, and Idiat Adebule emerging as consensus candidates. In Osun, Senator Francis Fadahunsi won the Osun East ticket, while Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi won Osun West. Tension trailed Ogun State primaries after Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele was excluded from the Ogun West primary, sparking criticism from women's groups. In Ekiti, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele secured a third-term ticket through affirmation, while Senator Adaramodu won in Ekiti South.
Imo State Primaries
Governor Hope Uzodimma won the Imo West primary with 230,464 votes against former Governor Rochas Okorocha's 1,098 votes. In Imo North and East, consensus candidates Alex Mbata and Patrick Ndubueze emerged. Okorocha insisted on contesting despite the consensus arrangement.
Defections and Uncertain Futures
In Enugu State, three House of Representatives members who defected to the APC from the Labour Party and PDP lost their tickets. Party insiders said they lacked sufficient influence within the APC after recently joining.
Other Developments
Senator Ipalibo Banigo criticized her disqualification from the Rivers West primary, calling it unfair and urging the party to demonstrate gender sensitivity. She denied that her disqualification was linked to her support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara. In Kogi State, Senator Jibrin Echocho confronted Governor Ahmed Ododo over the primary, alleging manipulation and threatening to challenge the governor in the next governorship election. Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje lost the Gombe Central ticket to retired DCP Mohammed Ahmed, who secured 42,785 votes against Goje's 10,425 votes. In Delta Central, Senator Ede Dafinone defeated former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, while former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa won Delta North. Former Governor Yahaya Bello won the Kogi Central primary decisively.
