More than 20 senators and over 50 House members failed to secure return tickets in the just-concluded party primaries.
The Senate and House of Representatives are set to resume plenary today following a four-week recess that allowed lawmakers to return to their constituencies and participate in party primaries ahead of the 2027 general election.
The recess proved politically consequential for many legislators, particularly within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), where the outcome of the primaries reshaped the fortunes of dozens of lawmakers. While some secured tickets for another term, many others lost re-election bids or were prevented from contesting altogether due to provisions contained in the amended Electoral Act.
As lawmakers return to Abuja, attention is expected to focus on how those who suffered political setbacks will navigate the remainder of the 11th National Assembly.
Anti-Defection Law Catches Serving Senators
At least 20 serving senators failed to emerge from the APC senatorial primaries with tickets for the 2027 elections. While some were defeated at the polls, others were disqualified before the contests began.
Among those barred from participating were senators who recently defected from opposition parties and sought APC nominations. They include Benson Agadaga (Bayelsa East), Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South) and Banigo Ipalibo (Rivers West).
Their disqualification was linked to the Electoral Act (Amendment) Act, 2026, which tightened rules governing party membership and candidate eligibility.
The amendment to Section 83 prohibits politicians from changing parties after membership registers have been submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) within the same election cycle.
In a twist of political irony, some lawmakers who supported the legislation ultimately became victims of its provisions.
Among the prominent casualties was Delta North Senator Ned Nwoko, who lost the APC ticket to former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa. Edo South Senator Neda Imasuen was defeated by former House member Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, while Kogi East Senator Isah Jibrin lost to Erico Ameh.
Elsewhere, Osun Central Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi was defeated by Kunle Adegoke, while former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel lost the Ogun East ticket to Governor Dapo Abiodun. In Gombe Central, Danjuma Goje was defeated by retired Deputy Commissioner of Police Mohammed Ahmed.
In Imo West, Governor Hope Uzodimma secured the APC senatorial ticket, ending Senator Osita Izunaso’s quest for another term in the Senate.
Senators Who Retained Their Tickets
Despite the wave of losses, several high-profile senators secured renomination.
Those returned through consensus arrangements 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 retained their tickets include Kaka Lawan (Borno Central), Tahir Monguno (Borno North), Ali Ndume (Borno South) and former Senate President Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North).
Former Abia State Governor Orji Kalu also secured the APC ticket for Abia North after defeating Philip Nto in a direct primary election.
Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu retained the Ekiti South ticket, while Cyril Fasuyi secured renomination in Ekiti North.
In Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli emerged as 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 emerged as the APC consensus governorship candidate in Ogun State.
House of Representatives Records Heavy Casualties
The House of Representatives witnessed an even greater political shake-up, with more than 50 members reportedly losing return tickets across several states.
Among the most notable casualties was House Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere, who finished third in the APC primary for Owan Federal Constituency in Edo State.
Also losing their bids were 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 failed in his bid for a third term.
Cross River and Benue Witness Major Upsets
Cross River State recorded one of the highest numbers of lawmakers who lost renomination bids.
Among those affected were Mike 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 failed to secure return tickets.
The affected lawmakers include Austin Achado (Gwer East/Gwer West), David Ogewu (Oju/Obi), Terseer Ugbor (Kwande/Ushongo), Sekav Iyortyom (Buruku) and Dickson Tarkighir (Makurdi/Guma).
Many of the lawmakers are regarded as political allies of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and were defeated by candidates believed to enjoy the support of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
However, Regina Akume, wife of the SGF, successfully secured a return ticket.
Rivers and Delta Lawmakers Affected
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 expected to leave the Green Chamber after opting to pursue the APC governorship ticket in Rivers State.
Similarly, Emerengwa Sunday, who sought an APC senatorial ticket, was disqualified during screening.
In Delta State, Ngozi Okolie of Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency lost the APC ticket to former House Minority Leader Ndudi Elumelu.
More Lawmakers Lose Re-election Bids
Several other lawmakers across the country also failed to secure party nominations.
In Akwa Ibom State, Okpolupum Etteh of Eket/Esit Eket/Ibeno was the only APC House member denied renomination.
Ekiti State recorded losses for lawmakers including Abiodun Omoleye and Rufus Ojuawo.
In Nasarawa State, Ari Muhammad and Jeremiah Umaru lost their re-election bids, while Edo lawmaker Eseosa Iyawe failed to secure the APC ticket for Oredo Federal Constituency.
Imo State also recorded significant casualties, with Miriam Onuoha, Harrison Nwadike and Emeka Chinedu all losing return tickets.
Other lawmakers affected include Ismail Kayode in Kwara State, Mansur Jega in Kebbi State, and four serving lawmakers in Jigawa State—Muktar Muhammad, Ibrahim Usman Auyo, Sa’adu Wada Taura and Yusif Miga.
Ondo State witnessed substantial turnover, with only three of its nine APC House members surviving the primaries. Those who lost include Adelegbe Emmanuel, Adefiranye Festus, Ojogo Kimikamboh and Adesida Aderin.
Ogun State also recorded significant changes, 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.
Key House Leaders Retain Tickets
Despite the widespread losses, several principal officers and ranking lawmakers successfully secured tickets for another term.
Speaker Abbas Tajudeen retained the APC ticket for Zaria Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, while Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu secured renomination for Bende Federal Constituency in Abia State.
Deputy Majority Leader Ibrahim Abdullahi Halims and House Chief Whip Bello Kumo also emerged successful in their respective constituencies.
In Lagos State, James Faleke retained the APC ticket for Ikeja Federal Constituency, while Babajimi Benson secured renomination for Ikorodu.
Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Abubakar Bichi, also won the APC ticket for Bichi Federal Constituency in Kano State.
In Benue State, Philip Agbese secured the Labour Party ticket to seek another term representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency.
Other lawmakers who survived the primaries include Sada Soli, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, Mukhtar Betara and Idris Wase.
The outcome ensures that despite the high level of turnover, the House will retain a number of experienced legislators in the next assembly.
Political Implications for the National Assembly
The return of lawmakers to Abuja is expected to reshape the political atmosphere within both chambers.
With many legislators now aware that their careers in the National Assembly could end in 2027, attention will turn to whether the results of the primaries influence legislative conduct, voting behaviour and relations between the executive and the legislature.
The coming months may also determine whether lawmakers denied return tickets remain aligned with party leadership or adopt new political positions in response to their altered circumstances.
As plenary resumes, both chambers face not only legislative responsibilities but also the challenge of managing the political aftershocks of one of the most consequential primary election seasons in recent years.
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