By Michael AMAJAMA
It is a Tsunami of sorts as more House of Representatives members on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, have lost their bids to return to the Green Chamber.
Results from the primaries of the APC for candidates in the 2027 election indicate that all is not well within the ranks of the legislators who had voted for direct primary in the failure of consensus.
In Nasarawa State, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Danladi Jatau, two sitting House of Representatives members, and Mohamed Nuraini Abdullahi Adamu, son of former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu, were among the high-profile aspirants defeated in the primaries held on May 16, 2026.
The Nasarawa State chapter of the APC declared winners in four of its five federal constituencies.
The results were announced by the Primary Elections Committee, chaired by Musa Shuaibu Guri.
In Karu/Keffi/Kokona Federal Constituency, Daniel Ogazi emerged winner with 13,083 votes, defeating Speaker Danladi Jatau who scored 5,873 votes.
Joseph M. Kaura polled 1,429 votes, son of ex-APC National Chairman Mohamed Nuraini Abdullahi Adamu got 769 votes, and Mohamed Yakubu Dikko had 316 votes.
Two incumbent lawmakers also lost their bids to return to the House.
In Nasarawa/Toto Federal Constituency, two-term member Ari Abdulmumin Muhammad, who served from 2015 to 2023, polled 9,039 votes and was defeated by Mohammed Al-Bashir Babae Yarima with 31,796 votes.
Abdullahi Jibril Alassi had 3,728 votes and Dr. Ahmed Wadah Ikaka got 1,888 votes.
In Akwanga/Wamba/Nasarawa Eggon Federal Constituency, one-term incumbent Hon. Jeremia Umaru, who served from 2019 to 2023, placed second with 4,061 votes. Tony Bala Shammah won the contest with 38,333 votes.
For Lafia/Obi Federal Constituency, ex-Nasarawa State Governor’s nephew Mohammed Ahmed Al-Makura was returned elected with 45,000 votes via affirmation after fellow aspirant, Isaac Ali Kigbu, withdrew from the race.
The primaries for the fifth constituency, Awe/Doma/Keana, could not hold on Saturday and the committee said the election was ongoing as at late Sunday evening.
In Benue State, it was the same scenario as some serving Reps lost out in the primary elections held across parts of Benue State.
In Konshisha Local Government Area, Livinus Tsar, said to be the preferred candidate of Governor Hyacinth Alia, recorded a landslide victory over incumbent lawmaker, Sesoo Ikpagher, an ally of the SGF. Sen. Akume.
Similarly, in Makurdi Federal Constituency, Ikper Terfa Christopher emerged dominant in one of the wards with 1,802 votes, while other contenders secured marginal votes.
In Gwer Federal Constituency, results from some wards also suggested setbacks for another serving House of Representatives member and Akume loyalist, Asema Achado.
Meanwhile, tensions reportedly trailed the APC primary election in Oju/Obi Federal Constituency, with fears of parallel declarations of winners from rival political camps.
In Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency, Ikper Terfa Christopher also emerged dominant in one of the wards with 1,802 votes, while other contenders recorded marginal figures.
Tension also trailed the APC primary election in Oju/Obi Federal Constituency, where fears emerged over possible parallel declarations of winners by rival camps within the party.
In Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, the exercise was marred by protests following the alleged disappearance of the three local government APC chairmen from Ado, Okpokwu and Ogbadibo with the election results.
In Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency, Regina Akume, wife of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, emerged winner after her opponent reportedly stepped down from the race.
Despite the outcomes, loyalists of the SGF were reportedly insisting on the return of sitting lawmakers, arguing that the arrangement aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s alleged directive on continuity for National Assembly members.
In Plateau State, the notable loss is that of Rep Yusuf Gagdi who failed to secure a return ticket for the third time.
Gagdi represents Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam, PKK, Federal Constituency.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gagdi is currently the Chairman, House of Representatives Standing Committee on Navy.
Mr Daspan Ishaya, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, announced the results of the polls on Sunday in Pankshin.
Ishaya said Dr John Tongshinen scored 29,968 to defeat Gagdi, his closest opponent, who polled 5,849 votes.
“By the powers conferred on me as the Chairman of this committee, I hereby declare Mr John Tongshinen as winner of the APC primaries for Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam federal constituency,” he said.
In Jigawa State, four serving members of the House of Representatives will not return to the National Assembly after losing out in the primary elections.
The political upset affects long-serving lawmakers, including Honorable Sa’idu Yusuf of the Jahun/Miga Federal Constituency, who has spent sixteen years in the National Assembly.
Others are Honorable Usman Ibrahim of Hadejia, Auyo, and Kafin Hausa Federal Constituency, Honorable Sa’adu Wada of Ringim/Taura, and Honorable Muhammad Muktar of Kazaure, Gwiwa, Roni, and Yankwashi Federal Constituency.
The four lawmakers did not participate in Saturday’s direct primaries after failing to secure the backing of party stakeholders in their constituencies.
In Cross River State, five serving members failed to secure return tickets.
Among those denied tickets is three-term lawmaker, Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba, who represents the Etung/Obubra Federal Constituency. Also losing out is Rt. Hon. Alex Egbona, a two-term member representing Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency, as well as Hon. Godwin Offiono of Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency.
Others who failed to secure the APC ticket include Hon. Emil Inyang of Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency and Hon. Bassey Akiba, representing Odukpani/Calabar Municipality Federal Constituency.
In Delta State, former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu, defeated incumbent lawmaker, Ngozi Okolie, for Oshimili South Federal Constituency ticket.
Also, Nicolas Mutu who is the longest House member, 28 years in total, represeting Bomodi/Patani Federal Constituency, lost out to Hon. (Barr.) Basil Okolobaowei Ganagana.
In Imo State, two serving members of the House of Representatives, Chike Okafor and Miriam Onuoha, lost.
Chike Okafor, who represents the Okigwe South Federal Constituency comprising Ehime Mbano, Ihitte Uboma and Obowo, currently serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security.
His defeat means he will not return to the Green Chamber, bringing to an end his 12-year stay in the House.
Also defeated was Miriam Onuoha, representing the Okigwe North Federal Constituency made up of Isiala Mbano, Okigwe and Onuimo.
Onuoha, who is the Chairperson of the House Committee on Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, lost the APC ticket to Uchenna Agasu.
