The All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections have reshaped the House of Representatives, with twelve serving members failing to secure return tickets. Among the most prominent losers is House Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere, who was defeated in Edo State. The primaries saw high-profile incumbents across Edo, Imo, Kwara, Kebbi, and Jigawa states lose out to new contenders or consensus candidates.
Notable Defeats in Edo State
In Edo State, House Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere lost his bid for a third term representing Owan Federal Constituency. He was defeated by former Commissioner for Mining Andrew Ijegbai, following reports of a zoning arrangement between Owan East and Owan West. Additionally, Eseosa Iyawe, who represents Oredo Federal Constituency, lost to former Commissioner for Education Dr. Paddy Iyamu. Iyawe had originally entered the House on the platform of the Labour Party before defecting to the APC.
Imo State: Four Incumbents Denied Tickets
Four incumbent lawmakers in Imo State were unsuccessful in their return bids:
- Matthew Nwogu (Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala)
- Miriam Onuoha (Okigwe South)
- Harrison Nwadike (Isu/Njaba/Nkwerre/Nwangele)
- Emeka Martins Chinedu (Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Federal Constituency)
Kwara, Kebbi, and Jigawa States
In Kwara State, Ismail Kayode, representing Ifelodun/Oyun/Offa Federal Constituency, lost the APC ticket to Rafiu Ajakaye, former Chief Press Secretary to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. In Kebbi State, Mansur Musa Jega lost his seat for Jega/Gwandu/Aleiro Federal Constituency, with a consensus arrangement producing Jafar Ahmed Jega, former Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, as the APC candidate. In Jigawa State, four serving lawmakers lost their return tickets: Muktar Muhammad (Kazaure/Roni/Gwiwa/Yankwashi), Ibrahim Usman Auyo (Hadejia/Auyo/Kafin Hausa), Sa’adu Wada Taura (Ringim/Taura), and Yusif Sa’idu Miga (Jahun/Miga).
Background on APC
The All Progressives Congress (APC) is one of Nigeria’s two dominant political parties. It was founded on February 6, 2013, following a merger of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). The party was officially recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in July 2013. APC made history in March 2015 when its candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, defeated incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan, marking Nigeria’s first peaceful transfer of power from a ruling party to the opposition. APC remains influential today.
These results highlight the competitive nature of the APC primaries, with several high-profile incumbents losing out to new contenders or consensus candidates. The primaries set the stage for next year’s general elections, where the APC will field its candidates against opposition parties.
