The House of Representatives primaries of the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 elections have sparked widespread controversy across Nigeria, with many sitting lawmakers failing to secure party nominations.
Reports indicate that over two dozen incumbents lost their tickets, while several aspirants were screened out or pressured to withdraw. The process has drawn criticism in multiple states, with allegations ranging from manipulation and imposition of candidates to lack of transparency.
In Rivers State, internal divisions deepened as rival political factions clashed over candidate selection. The struggle between supporters of Siminalayi Fubara and allies of Nyesom Wike was widely believed to influence who emerged and who was disqualified.
Similarly, tensions erupted in Edo State after prominent lawmaker Julius Ihonvbere rejected the outcome of his primary, claiming the process was flawed and lacked credibility. Other aspirants in the state also complained of irregularities, including intimidation and exclusion of voters.
In Kwara, dissatisfaction grew after a candidate reportedly received no votes, raising questions about whether a proper election took place. Concerns about fairness and possible legal action have since been expressed by affected aspirants.
Ogun State also witnessed controversy, with some lawmakers accusing Dapo Abiodun of influencing outcomes through consensus arrangements rather than open voting. Similar complaints emerged in several other states.
In Imo, multiple incumbents were replaced under the Option A4 voting system, while in Lagos, powerful party blocs reportedly played a decisive role in determining winners. Notably, Mudashiru Obasa secured a House ticket, displacing an incumbent lawmaker.
Ekiti State saw protests and rejection of results by several aspirants, with some describing the exercise as undemocratic. In one constituency, the process was declared inconclusive due to violence and irregularities.
The situation turned tragic in Plateau State, where violence during the primaries led to the death of a resident following clashes between protesters and security operatives.
In Benue, a major political contest unfolded between camps loyal to Hyacinth Alia and George Akume. The governor’s allies reportedly dominated the outcomes, sidelining several figures linked to Akume.
Across other states such as Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, and Kogi, consensus arrangements were widely used, often pushing out incumbents in favor of preferred candidates. This approach has been criticized for limiting internal democracy within the party.
Despite the backlash, some party officials insist the process followed guidelines and was necessary to maintain unity. However, many aggrieved aspirants have threatened legal action, arguing that the primaries did not reflect a fair democratic process.
Overall, the primaries have exposed deep divisions within the APC, raising concerns about party cohesion as the 2027 general elections approach.
