54 National Assembly Members Lose APC Primaries in Major Shake-Up Ahead of 2027.

No fewer than 54 serving members of the National Assembly have lost their tickets to seek re-election under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the party’s House of Representatives and senatorial primaries held on May 16 and May 18, 2026. 

The outcome marks one of the biggest turnovers of sitting federal lawmakers since 2015, sweeping out ranking lawmakers, principal officers, and long-serving “landlords” of the Green and Red Chambers. 

High-Profile Casualties

Some of the biggest names who failed to secure return tickets include:

*House of Representatives:*

- *Prof. Julius Ihonvbere* – House Majority Leader, lost Owan Federal Constituency, Edo State 5996

- *Nicholas Mutu* – Representing Bomadi/Patani, Delta State. He’s been in the House since 1999 5996

- *Ibrahim Isiaka* – Ifo/Ewekoro, Ogun State 5996

- *Mike Etaba* – Obubra/Etung, Cross River 5996

- *Ngozi Lawrence Okolie* – Aniocha/Oshimili, Delta 5996

- *Miriam Onuoha* and *Chike Okafor* – Okigwe North and South, Imo State 5996

- *Esosa Iyawe* – Oredo, Edo State 5996

*Senate:*

- *Gbenga Daniel* – Ogun East cbee

- *Osita Izunaso* – Imo West cbee

- *Emmanuel Udende* – Benue North-East 

- *Titus Zam* – Benue West cbee

- *Ned Nwoko* – Delta North cbee

- *Saliu Mustapha* – Kwara Central cbee

- *Diket Plang* – Plateau Central cbee

Former Labour Party lawmakers who defected to the APC after the 2023 elections also lost out, including Esosa Iyawe, Neda Imasuen, Tochukwu Okere, Bassey Akiba, and Daulyop Fom. cbee

Why So Many Lost

The primaries were conducted under the Electoral Act 2026 using a direct primary system, where ward-level party members voted. 

Many lawmakers who backed President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms - including fuel subsidy removal and fiscal restructuring - found that loyalty to the executive didn’t guarantee political survival. 

State governors also played a decisive role in candidate selection, and anti-incumbent sentiment ran high across several states.

The results have triggered petitions and protests across the country. Aggrieved aspirants allege manipulation, imposition, and name substitutions. 

In Edo State, Ihonvbere rejected his loss outright, saying “I did not lose the election. They did not even come to the field. They wrote some meaningless results”. 

In Plateau, Senator Diket Plang claimed the process was hijacked, alleging he got 1,423 votes in a ward with over 2,000 registered members. 

The APC National Working Committee is expected to ratify the results, but many of the defeated lawmakers can’t switch parties. The deadline for submitting membership registers to INEC lapsed on May 10, 2026. 

With 54 members out, the 11th National Assembly will look very different. The APC currently holds 231 seats in the House of Representatives and 88 in the Senate. 0c7f

The party has gained 97 seats through defections since 2023, but the primary losses show that internal competition is just as fierce. 

For voters, the message is clear: even powerful lawmakers aren’t safe if they lose touch with their constituencies.