Violence, Protests Rock APC Primaries as Dozens of Lawmakers Lose Tickets

The nationwide National Assembly primaries of the All Progressives Congress have ended in controversy, with more than 70 serving lawmakers reportedly losing their return tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The ruling party, which currently controls 242 seats in the House of Representatives and 88 in the Senate, witnessed widespread protests, allegations of manipulation and violent disruptions during the exercise.

Among the lawmakers affected was Rep. Donatus Matthew, popularly called “Okada Rider,” who recently defected from the Labour Party to the APC. He was disqualified during the party’s screening process.

Former Labour Party lawmakers who also lost their APC tickets include Senator Neda Imasuen, Esosa Iyawe, Tochukwu Okere, Bassey Akiba and Daulyop Fom.

Serving senators such as Gbenga Daniel, Diket Plang, Osita Izunaso, Emmanuel Udende, Titus Zam, Olubiyi Fadeyi, Saliu Mustapha and Ned Nwoko are among those who may not return to the National Assembly.

The primaries triggered serious unrest in several states, particularly in Ondo, where Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire escaped attack after suspected thugs invaded his polling unit in Akure.

According to eyewitnesses, gunmen disrupted the exercise and opened fire after it became clear that Adegbonmire was leading.

“My supporters were about 400 and there were three lines — mine in the middle, Taiwo Fasoranti on the right and Adu’s on the left. They started counting my line first because it was the longest.

“But while they were counting the other line and it became glaring that we were leading, thugs invaded the place, started shooting in the air and even shot at my car,” the senator said.

Parents reportedly rushed to nearby schools to retrieve their children as panic spread across the area.

Meanwhile, the APC national leadership faulted some primary election committees for independently declaring winners without authorisation from the party headquarters.

National Secretary Ajibola Basiru stated that only the National Working Committee had the authority to announce final results after reviewing complaints and petitions.

The party also received multiple petitions from aggrieved aspirants in Delta State, while aspirants in Cross River, Kaduna, Zamfara and Ekiti rejected results over alleged irregularities and candidate imposition.

In Kogi Central, protesters stormed the APC secretariat in Abuja to challenge the participation of former governor Yahaya Bello in the senatorial primary, insisting he was not duly cleared for the contest.

Despite the controversies, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq secured victory in the Kwara Central senatorial primary, while Senators David Jimkuta and Haruna Manu retained APC tickets in Taraba State.

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