Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has witnessed a major political shake-up, with no fewer than 50 serving Members of the House of Representatives reportedly losing their bids to secure return tickets during the Party’s primaries.
Among the prominent Lawmakers affected are Nicholas Mutu, the longest-serving Member of the House of Representatives; Deputy Chief Whip Ibrahim Isiaka; and Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, widely regarded as one of the most influential voices in the Green Chamber.
According to reports monitored by MJConcept TV News, at least 48 serving APC Lawmakers failed to secure tickets to contest the next election, while two Lawmakers from Bayelsa State opted not to seek re-election as they pursue higher political offices.
The figure could still rise, as the APC is yet to conclude and officially release the full results of its nationwide primaries. Other political parties, including the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), are also preparing for their respective primaries.
Despite the widespread upsets, Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas and Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu successfully secured return tickets in their respective States.
One of the most symbolic defeats was that of Nicholas Mutu, who represents Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency in Delta State. Mutu, first elected in 1999, holds the record as the longest-serving Member of the House. His inability to clinch the APC ticket appears to mark the end of a remarkable legislative career spanning Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, unless political developments alter the situation before 2027.
In the same State, Ngozi Lawrence Okolie, representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, lost the APC ticket to former Minority Leader Ndudi Elumelu. Okolie had previously defeated Elumelu during the 2023 election under the Labour Party before defecting to the APC. However, the former Minority Leader regained political dominance in the Party primary.
Ogun State also recorded major surprises, as Deputy Chief Whip, Ibrahim Isiaka lost his return ticket, becoming the only known Principal officer of the House to suffer defeat in the APC primaries so far.
Isiaka’s loss formed part of a broader political upset in Ogun, where five out of nine serving APC Lawmakers failed to secure tickets. Other Lawmakers affected include Ishaq Akinlade, Tunji Akinosi, and Femi Ogunbanwo.
In Plateau State, Yusuf Adamu Gagdi lost his third-term bid after being defeated by Dr. John Tongshinen in the APC primary election. Official results released by returning officer Daspan Ishaya showed Tongshinen polling 29,968 votes, while Gagdi secured fewer than 6,000 votes, highlighting the scale of the defeat for the influential Lawmaker.
Edo State also witnessed a major upset as the Majority Leader of the House, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, failed to secure the APC ticket for Owan Federal Constituency. Ihonvbere came third in the contest, which was won by Andrew Ijegbia.
In Cross River State, the APC primaries dealt a heavy blow to incumbents, with five of eight serving Lawmakers losing their return tickets. Among them was Mike Etaba, a three-term Lawmaker representing Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency, who failed in his bid for a fourth term.
Other Lawmakers who lost out in Cross River include Alex Egbona, Godwin Offiono, Emil Inyang, and Bassey Akiba. Only Peter Akpanke, Joseph Bassey, and Victor Abang secured return tickets in the State.
The South-South region generally proved difficult for incumbents. In Rivers State, Lawmakers such as John Azubuike Opara, Anderson Allison Igbiki, Awaji Imombek Abiante, and Boma Goodhead reportedly failed to secure APC tickets.
In Akwa Ibom State, reports also indicated that Okpolupum Etteh lost his re-election bid, although the APC had yet to officially announce complete results.
Bayelsa State presented a different political scenario, with some incumbents retaining tickets while others shifted focus to Senatorial ambitions or remained in rival parties.
Ekiti State similarly recorded major upsets. Several incumbents, including Abiodun Omoleye and Rufus Adeni Ojuawo, lost their seats during the APC primaries. However, the exercise sparked protests from some aspirants, who alleged irregularities and demanded cancellation of results in certain constituencies.
In Ondo State, internal disagreements within the APC National Assembly Primary Election Committee reportedly delayed the release of results amid allegations of attempts to manipulate outcomes in favour of certain aspirants, including some previously disqualified candidates.
Meanwhile, controversy also trailed the APC primary in Lagos State’s Epe Federal Constituency, where aspirant Ademola Amure described the process as fraudulent and called for its cancellation, alleging voter intimidation and irregularities.
The outcome of the APC primaries across several States has dramatically reshaped the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections, exposing the vulnerability of incumbents, ranking Lawmakers, and long-established political figures once considered untouchable.
For the House of Representatives, the first major battle ahead of 2027 appears to have been fought — and decided — within the APC primaries rather than at the general election ballot.