APC primaries trigger major shake-up as several incumbent Senators lose return tickets ahead of 2027 elections

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has witnessed a widening wave of electoral upsets following its 2026 National Assembly primaries, with additional sitting senators joining the list of incumbents who failed to secure return tickets for the 2027 general elections.

The primaries, held across the country, have reshaped the composition of the ruling party’s upper legislative chamber, as grassroots delegates and political blocs unseated several established lawmakers in highly competitive contests.

Beyond earlier reported defeats in Benue State, fresh results confirm that more serving APC senators lost their bids during the exercise.

Among the major casualties is Senator Ned Nwoko of Delta North, who lost the party’s ticket to former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in a decisive primary outcome. The contest was described by party insiders as one of the most closely watched races in the South-South region.

In Edo South, Senator Neda Imasuen also failed to retain his ticket after being defeated by former House of Representatives member Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, marking another high-profile exit from the APC senatorial lineup.

In Kogi East, Senator Jibrin Isah (popularly known as “Echocho”) lost his return bid after being defeated by Dr. Erico Ameh, completing a trio of prominent senatorial losses in key districts.

Other developments show that several APC senators were not even cleared to participate in the primaries after screening processes, with names such as Senator Ipalibo Banigo and other aspirants disqualified or barred from contesting in the exercise.

Across the country, party officials say the primaries also produced a mix of direct defeats, disqualifications, and internal withdrawals, as the APC attempted to balance zoning arrangements, incumbency pressure, and state-level political interests.

In Ekiti State, however, serving senators including Opeyemi Bamidele, Cyril Fasuyi, and Yemi Adaramodu successfully secured return tickets, highlighting the uneven outcomes of the nationwide process.

Political observers say the results reflect a broader internal realignment within the APC, where governors, party executives, and influential blocs increasingly shaped outcomes in several senatorial districts.

In the House of Representatives, the wave of losses was even more pronounced, with multiple serving lawmakers—including the House Majority Leader—also failing to return.

Analysts describe the overall outcome as one of the most significant internal disruptions in the party since its formation, driven by zoning tensions, anti-incumbency sentiment, and intensified grassroots participation through direct primaries.

The APC National Working Committee is now expected to intensify reconciliation efforts to manage fallout from the primaries and prevent further defections ahead of the 2027 general elections.