Lawmakers Who Lost Primaries Face New Challenges as NASS Resumes

The two chambers of the National Assembly are back to work today after a four-week break. This break let senators and House of Representatives members visit their constituencies and take part in party primaries. They were either looking to get re-elected or to contest for other positions.

The results of the primaries, especially in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), changed many lawmakers' political chances. Dozens lost their chance to return, while others could not contest due to the new rules in the amended Electoral Act.

At least 20 sitting senators did not get nominations from the APC during the senatorial primaries. Some were defeated in the elections, while others were disqualified during the screening process.

Lawmakers who had recently switched from opposition parties to the APC were among those disqualified. This includes Benson Agadaga (Bayelsa East), Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South), and Banigo Ipalibo (Rivers West).

Their disqualifications came from the Electoral Act (Amendment) Act, 2026, which brought in stricter rules on party membership and candidate nominations. The change to Section 83 stops politicians from switching parties after the membership registers have been sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the same election cycle.

Interestingly, some lawmakers who backed this anti-defection rule now find themselves affected by the law they helped create. One of them is Delta North Senator Ned Nwoko, who lost the APC ticket to former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa. Former House member Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama beat Edo South Senator Neda Imasuen, while Kogi East Senator Isah Jibrin lost to Erico Ameh.

In Osun State, Olubiyi Fadeyi lost the Osun Central ticket to Kunle Adegoke. Former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel was replaced in Ogun East by Governor Dapo Abiodun, while Danjuma Goje lost the Gombe Central ticket to retired Deputy Commissioner of Police Mohammed Ahmed.

Similarly, Governor Hope Uzodimma secured the APC ticket for Imo West Senatorial District, ending Senator Osita Izunaso’s bid for another term.

Despite these losses, some serving senators successfully secured their return tickets. Those confirmed by consensus include Senate President Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom North-West), Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin (Kano North), and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central).

Other senators who secured renomination include Kaka Lawan (Borno Central), Tahir Monguno (Borno North), Ali Ndume (Borno South), and former Senate President Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North). In Abia North, Orji Kalu won a primary contest against Philip Nto.

Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu secured the APC ticket for Ekiti South, while Cyril Fasuyi retained his position in Ekiti North. In Oyo State, Sharafadeen Alli became the APC governorship candidate, while Abdulfatai Buhari and Yunus Akintunde secured the Oyo North and Oyo Central senatorial tickets, respectively.

Ogun West Senator Adeola Olamilekan also became the APC consensus governorship candidate for Ogun State. The House of Representatives saw even more political losses, with over 50 members reportedly losing their return tickets from various states.

One notable loss is Julius Ihonvbere, the majority leader of the House. He could not secure the APC ticket for Owan Federal Constituency in Edo State after finishing third in the primary election. Others who lost their bids include Nicholas Mutu, who has represented Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency of Delta State since 1999, and Mike Etaba of Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency in Cross River State.

Yusuf Gagdi, representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency of Plateau State, also lost his bid for a third term. Cross River State saw many lawmakers losing their tickets. Those affected include Mr. Etaba (Obubra/Etung), Alex Egbona (Abi/Yakurr), Godwin Offiono (Ogoja/Yala), Emil Inyang (Akamkpa/Biase), and Bassey Akiba (Odukpani/Calabar Municipality).

In Benue State, six APC members of the House of Representatives, many seen as loyal to Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, could not secure renomination. They include Austin Achado (Gwer East/Gwer West), David Ogewu (Oju/Obi), Terseer Ugbor (Kwande/Ushongo), Sekav Iyortyom (Buruku), and Dickson Tarkighir (Makurdi/Guma).

These lawmakers lost to candidates believed to have the support of Governor Hyacinth Alia, showing the ongoing rivalry between the governor and Akume’s camp. But Akume’s wife, Regina, did secure a return ticket.

In Rivers State, Goodhead Boma (Asari-Toru) and Awaji-Inombek Abiante (Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro) were disqualified by the APC screening committee and will not return to the House. Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda is also leaving the House after deciding to run for the Rivers governorship election on the APC ticket.

Emerengwa Sunday, who sought the APC senatorial ticket, was disqualified and will not return to the Green Chamber. In Delta State, Ngozi Okolie of Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency lost the APC ticket to former House Minority Leader Ndudi Elumelu.

In Akwa Ibom, Okpolupum Etteh (Eket/Esit Eket/Ibeno) was the only APC House member who could not secure renomination. Three lawmakers lost their tickets in Ekiti State, including Abiodun Omoleye and Rufus Ojuawo.

In Nasarawa State, Ari Muhammad (Nasarawa/Toto) and Jeremiah Umaru (Akwanga/Wamba/Nasarawa Eggon) were defeated in their re-election bids. Edo lawmaker Eseosa Iyawe lost the APC ticket for Oredo Federal Constituency.

In Imo State, Miriam Onuoha, Harrison Nwadike, and Emeka Chinedu all could not secure return tickets. Kwara lawmaker Ismail Kayode also lost his bid for renomination.

Ogun State saw a significant turnover, with five of its nine APC House members losing their tickets. Among them are Deputy Chief Whip Ibrahim Isiaka, Ishaq Akinlade, Tunji Akinosi, and Femi Ogunbanwo. Mansur Jega lost the APC ticket for Jega/Gwandu/Aleiro Federal Constituency in Kebbi State.

In Jigawa State, four sitting lawmakers, Muktar Muhammad, Ibrahim Usman Auyo, Sa’adu Wada Taura, and Yusif Miga, failed to secure return tickets. Ondo State also faced major losses, with only three of its nine APC House members winning their primaries. Those who lost include Adelegbe Emmanuel, Adefiranye Festus, Ojogo Kimikamboh, and Adesida Aderin.

Despite many defeats, a good number of sitting members of the House of Representatives did secure tickets for re-election in 2027. Among them is Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, who got the APC ticket for Zaria Federal Constituency in Kaduna State.

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu also kept the APC ticket for Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State, putting him in line for another term in the House. Other principal officers who secured return tickets include Deputy Majority Leader Ibrahim Abdullahi Halims, representing Ankpa/Olamaboro/Omala Federal Constituency of Kogi State, and House Chief Whip Bello Kumo, representing Akko Federal Constituency of Gombe State.

In Lagos State, James Faleke, representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, won his party’s ticket, while Babajimi Benson secured renomination for Ikorodu Federal Constituency. Chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations, Abubakar Bichi, also got the APC ticket to represent Bichi Federal Constituency of Kano State.

In Benue State, Philip Agbese, representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, won the Labour Party ticket to seek another term in the House. Other lawmakers who secured return tickets include Sada Soli (Jibia/Kaita Federal Constituency, Katsina), Alhassan Ado-Doguwa (Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency, Kano), Mukhtar Betara (Biu/Bayo/Shani/Kwaya Kusar Federal Constituency, Borno), and Idris Wase (Wase Federal Constituency, Plateau).

Many committee chairpersons and senior lawmakers also survived the primaries, ensuring that the 11th House of Representatives will keep several experienced members despite the many changes during the party nomination process.

As lawmakers return to Abuja, the political atmosphere in both chambers will be put to the test. Many legislators now know their time in office may end in 2027. All eyes will be on whether the outcome of the primaries affects their debates, voting, and the relationship between the executive and legislature.

The coming months may also show whether lawmakers who lost their tickets will stay loyal to their party leaders or take positions that reflect their new political situations.