70 National Assembly members ousted as defectors, heavyweights crash out 

Over 70 serving National Assembly members on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have lost their return tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections. The development positions the party’s recent primaries as one of the most historic political contests in Nigeria’s recent democratic history.

Among the high-profile casualties are Ned Nwoko (Delta North), Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East), Osita Izunaso (Imo West), Emmanuel Udende (Benue North-East), Titus Zam (Benue West), Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central), and Saliu Mustapha (Kwara Central). These lawmakers either lost outright, stepped down, or failed to secure renomination during the exercises.

Defectors face defeats as Suswam stages legislative comeback

Several lawmakers who previously defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the APC also suffered humiliating defeats at the polls. This group includes Neda Imasuen (Edo South), Esosa Iyawe (Oredo Federal Constituency), Tochukwu Okere (Imo), Bassey Akiba (Cross River), and Daulyop Fom (Plateau), all of whom failed to consolidate their positions within their new party.

In Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, a former governor, staged a dramatic political comeback by defeating Emmanuel Udende in a landslide victory. Concurrently, Titus Zam finished a distant third in his respective primary contest.

Internal party friction triggers widespread primary protests

The legislative primaries have triggered widespread protests and the rejection of results across multiple states. Aggrieved aspirants in Kaduna, Ondo, Ekiti, Kogi, and Zamfara, among others, have alleged widespread imposition, manipulation, and violence during the processes.

The House of Representatives primaries were conducted on Saturday, whilst the Senate primaries took place on Monday. The party leadership now faces the critical task of managing post-primary reconciliation ahead of the general elections.