The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Assembly primaries held across Nigeria have produced some of the biggest political shocks seen within the ruling party since 2015.
From powerful incumbents losing return tickets to political dynasties tightening their grip, the primaries have reshaped calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While complete verified results from all 36 states are still emerging, confirmed outcomes from several states already reveal a nationwide pattern of political rebellion, elite survival, strategic compromise, and growing grassroots influence.
Kaduna State: Speaker Abbas Tightens His Grip
One of the biggest winners nationally is Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, who secured the APC ticket for Zaria Federal Constituency unopposed for a fifth term.
His victory reinforces his growing influence within APC’s national structure and confirms Kaduna as one of the party’s strongest institutional strongholds.
Political Meaning
Abbas’ emergence shows that while some incumbents are under attack nationwide, lawmakers with strong grassroots and elite backing still maintain enormous control.
Katsina State: Buhari Political Dynasty Enters New Phase
In Katsina, Yusuf Buhari won the APC ticket for Daura Federal Constituency.
The development officially pushes the Buhari family deeper into frontline electoral politics after the exit of former President Muhammadu Buhari from office.
Political Meaning
The APC still heavily depends on recognizable political names and legacy influence, particularly in the North-West.
Edo State: Major National Shock
Perhaps the biggest upset nationally came from Edo State, where House Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere reportedly lost his APC return ticket.
His defeat stunned many observers because of his national prominence within the House of Representatives.
Political Meaning
This may become one of the clearest signs yet that grassroots delegates are increasingly resisting political entitlement.
Ondo State: Incumbent Crushed
In Ondo, Olumuyiwa Daramola defeated incumbent lawmaker Jimi Odimayo by a wide margin of 6,547 votes to 827.
Political Meaning
The scale of the defeat suggests strong dissatisfaction among delegates against certain sitting lawmakers perceived as disconnected from local political structures.
Nasarawa State: Political Earthquake
Nasarawa produced some of the most dramatic APC primary results nationwide.
Confirmed Winners
Daniel Ogazi — Karu/Keffi/Kokona
Mohammed Al-Bashir Babae Yarima — Nasarawa/Toto
Tony Bala Shammah — Akwanga/Wamba/Nasarawa Eggon
Mohammed Ahmed Al-Makura — Lafia/Obi
Major Losers
Danladi Jatau (Speaker, Nasarawa Assembly)
Jeremia Umaru (incumbent Reps member)
Mohamed Nuraini Abdullahi Adamu, son of former APC chairman Abdullahi Adamu.
Political Meaning
Nasarawa exposed growing rebellion against established political families and elite structures.
Rivers State: Wike Camp Consolidates Power
The APC primaries in Rivers confirmed the growing influence of political forces loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
Confirmed Winners
Martin Amaewhule — Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency
Igwe Precious — Port Harcourt
Felix Nweke — Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo
Dumnamene Dekor — Khana/Gokana
Cyril Hart — Degema-Bonny
Political Meaning
Rivers remains one of Nigeria’s most strategic political battlegrounds ahead of 2027.
The APC primaries there reflected an aggressive struggle for territorial dominance rather than ordinary party competition.
Adamawa State: APC Pushes Stability
Adamawa completed one of the most organized primary exercises nationwide.
Confirmed Winners
Aliyu Boya Wakili — Fufore/Song
James Shuaibu Barka — Gombi/Hong
Nyampa Dauda Zakaria — Michika/Madagali
Ramatu Bello — Mubi North/Mubi South/Maiha
Kwamoti Laori — Numan
Suleman Ahmed GK — Jada/Ganye/Mayo Belwa/Toungo
Golfa Mallam — Guyuk/Shelleng
Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad — Yola North/Yola South/Girei
Political Meaning
Adamawa APC appears focused on maintaining internal stability and reducing post-primary crises ahead of the general elections.
Delta State: Big Names Survive
Confirmed Winners
Suenu-Ibori — Ethiope
Francis Waive — Ughelli/Udu
Ramson Onoyake — Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie
Ndudi Elumelu — Aniocha/Oshimili
Emmanuel Osazuwa — Ika
Nnamdi Ezechi — Ndokwa/Ukwuani
Julius Pondi — Burutu
Basil Ganagana — Bomadi/Patani
Ajirioghene Ukodhiko — Isoko
Thomas Ereyitomi — Warri
Political Meaning
Delta’s primaries reflected a mixture of continuity and strategic survival by entrenched political actors.
Imo State: Four Sitting Lawmakers Removed
Imo recorded one of the largest waves of incumbent defeats nationwide.
Lawmakers Who Lost
Matthew Nwogu
Miriam Odinaka Onuoha
Harrison Nwadike
Emeka Martins Chinedu
OtownGist Media
Political Meaning
The Imo primaries revealed serious internal restructuring within APC’s South-East machinery.
National Trends Emerging Across the States
1. Incumbency Is Losing Its Automatic Power
Across multiple states, sitting lawmakers lost tickets despite access to influence, funding, and federal connections.
That trend appeared in:
Edo
Imo
Nasarawa
Ondo
Kebbi
Jigawa
This signals a major shift in Nigeria’s internal party politics.
2. Political Dynasties Still Matter
Despite grassroots rebellion, famous political names continue enjoying advantages.
Examples include:
Yusuf Buhari in Katsina
Al-Makura political influence in Nasarawa
Wike-aligned structures in Rivers
3. North-Central Emerging as APC’s Most Volatile Zone
From Plateau to Nasarawa and Benue, the APC faces increasing internal fragmentation in the North-Central.
Political tensions there may become decisive in 2027.
4. APC Still Retains Strong National Structure
Despite internal battles, the APC remains Nigeria’s most geographically organized political party.
The primaries successfully held across most states without widespread breakdowns.
That institutional advantage remains politically important.
Headlineswave.ng Special Assessment
The APC primaries across Nigeria revealed two conflicting realities at the same time.
First, the ruling party still possesses enormous political reach, financial strength, and organizational control nationwide.
Second, many grassroots members are beginning to resist automatic political dominance by incumbents and elite power brokers.
That contradiction may define the entire 2027 political season.
The defeat of nationally recognized lawmakers shows that internal democracy – though still imperfect – is becoming harder to completely suppress inside the APC.
However, the bigger danger for the ruling party may come after the primaries.
Aggrieved aspirants, factional disputes, litigation threats, and silent political sabotage have historically weakened Nigerian ruling parties more than opposition attacks.
If APC leadership fails to reconcile major losers across strategic states, the party could enter the general elections deeply divided beneath the surface.
Still, one reality remains undeniable:
Despite internal turbulence, the APC continues to operate as Nigeria’s most formidable nationwide political machine.
Whether that dominance survives 2027 may depend not on opposition strength alone, but on how successfully the APC heals its own internal wounds after these primaries.
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