Many serving Senators on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have suffered major setbacks in the Party’s Senatorial primary elections held on Monday, May 18, 2026, ahead of the January 16, 2027 National Assembly polls.
The primaries, conducted across the 109 Senatorial districts nationwide, produced several surprise outcomes, with some incumbent Lawmakers losing their tickets to challengers, while others were screened out before the voting stage.
Among the high-profile losses was Senator Ned Nwoko, who reportedly lost the Delta North Senatorial ticket to former Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, by a wide margin.
In Edo South, Senator Neda Imasuen was also defeated by former House of Representatives Member, Hon. Omorgie Ogbeida-Ihama, while Senator Jibrin Isah, popularly known as Echocho, lost his re-election bid to Dr. Erico Ameh in Kogi East.
Some serving Senators were, however, disqualified before the primaries even commenced following screening exercises conducted by the Party. Those affected include Senator Banigo Ipalibo (Rivers West), Senator Benson Agadaga (Bayelsa East), and Senator Abdulhamid Madori (Jigawa North West).
Despite the wave of defeats, several incumbents successfully secured return tickets either through consensus arrangements or competitive contests.
Among those who returned unopposed through affirmation are Senate President Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom North-West), Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin (Kano North), and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central).
Others who secured return tickets include all three Senators from Borno State; Kaka Shehu Lawan, Tahir Monguno, and Ali Ndume, who were affirmed by Party delegates.
Former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan also clinched the Yobe North ticket through affirmation, while Senator Orji Uzor Kalu defeated his challenger Philip Nto, polling 65,651 votes against 2,103.
Meanwhile, results from other Senatorial districts are still being compiled as of the time of filing this report.