By Our Correspondents
The All Progressives Congress has successfully completed the first phase of its National Assembly primaries. Across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, the exercise was largely peaceful and orderly, with only a handful of isolated incidents involving imposition and parallel primaries reported in some states.
Over the weekend, the party held House of Representatives primaries in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. By Sunday night, candidates had emerged for the vast majority of the nation’s federal constituencies. The process was peaceful and orderly in most places, with delegates turning out to vote and accepting the outcomes.
The party’s national leadership, in a memo dated May 17, issued clear guidelines for collating and announcing results. National Organising Secretary Suleiman Argungu directed that all results be submitted to the national headquarters and that no committee members speak to the media from their states. Official briefings, he said, would come exclusively from Abuja. The directive ensured a coordinated and disciplined rollout of results.
Peaceful Conduct Across Most States
In Abia State, the primaries were notably calm – a significant achievement given that 99 aspirants were vying for 36 tickets. Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, was returned unopposed for Bende Federal Constituency, securing his bid for a third term. Former Minister of State for Labour, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, also won her ticket unopposed for Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency as she seeks a return to the House.
Other winners in Abia included Hon. Chris Nkwonta (Ukwa East/Ukwa West), former federal lawmaker Hon. Uzo Azubuike (Aba North/Aba South), former state House Speaker Hon. Chinedum Orji (Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South), Hon. Uzoma Ihuka (Isiala Ngwa North/Isiala Ngwa South), Hon. Udo Alozie (Obingwa/Osisioma/Ugwunagbo), and Hon. Ikenna Nicholas Ukwa (Arochukwu/Ohafia).
The chairman of the Abia primary committee, Erasmus Cishak, praised party members for their peaceful conduct and said the process was fair and transparent.
In Akwa Ibom State, Governor Umo Eno personally participated in the primaries, voting at his ward in Ibiakpan Obotim II, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area. He described the exercise as free, fair, and transparent, noting that reports from across the state showed strong participation and orderly conduct. Incumbent Paul Ekpo secured the ticket for Etinan Federal Constituency.
Across Akwa Ibom, delegates voted using the Option A4 system under the supervision of party officials and INEC observers.
In Ebonyi State, all six sitting members of the House of Representatives won their primaries. The winners included Hon. Idu Igariwey (Afikpo/Edda), who will be seeking a fourth term; Comrade Chinedu Ogah, going for his third term; Joseph Nwobasi (Ishielu/Ezza North); Emma Uguru (Abakaliki/Izzie); Eze Nwachukwu (Ebonyi/Ohaukwu); and Kama Nkemkama (Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo).
Governor Francis Nwifuru dismissed speculation about parallel primaries in the state, stating clearly that only one committee sent by the national leadership conducted the exercise.
In Kwara State, Dr. Rafiu Ajakaye, former chief press secretary to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, won the primary for Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency with 707 votes. He took to social media to thank party leaders and members for their support and called for unity as the process continues.
In Gombe State, the Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon. Usman Kumo, secured the APC ticket for Akko Federal Constituency unopposed, polling 238 delegate votes. Kumo had recently stepped down from the governorship race in the state, citing respect for party supremacy, and endorsed the consensus candidate, Dr. Jamilu Gwamna.
In Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, a leading governorship aspirant, commended the peaceful conduct of the primaries across the state’s 351 wards. He praised the primary election committee for its professionalism and party members for their maturity and discipline.
Competitive Races Produce Winners and Losers
As with any democratic process, some contests were highly competitive, and not every incumbent seeking return secured their party’s ticket.
In Ogun State, five sitting House members lost their re-election bids. Among them were Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka (Ifo/Ewekoro), Hon. Tunji Akinosi (Ado-Odo/Ota), Hon. Adesola Elegbeji (Remo North), Hon. Isiaq Akinlade (Yewa South/Ipokia), and Hon. Femi Ogunbanwo.
At the same time, several other candidates – both incumbents and new faces – emerged victorious. Hon. Adijat Adeleye, Hon. Joseph Adegbesan, Hon. Afolabi Afuape, Hon. Funmilayo Efuwape, Dr. Toyin Taiwo, and Hon. Olumide Osoba all secured tickets. Osoba, a consensus candidate, was affirmed with 45,907 votes for the Odeda, Obafemi Owode, and Abeokuta North Federal Constituency.
The results were announced on Sunday by the chairman of the state primaries committee, former Edo Deputy Governor Comrade Phillips Shuaibu.
In Plateau State, incumbent Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, who chairs the House Committee on Navy, lost the Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency ticket to John Tongshinen. Tongshinen secured 29,968 votes against Gagdi’s 5,849. Political observers noted that while the outcome was unexpected, it reflected the will of delegates expressed through a properly conducted primary.
In Rivers State, the primaries produced a mix of outcomes. Some aspirants closely aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara were not cleared to contest the senatorial primaries after failing to meet party requirements. Meanwhile, several candidates – including sitting Reps member Hon. Dumnamene Robinson Deekor and state House Speaker Martin Amaewhule – won their House of Representatives primaries.
The Rivers primary committee, chaired by Hon. Wahab Owokoniran, announced that Deekor won the Gokana/Khana Federal Constituency primary with 17,073 votes. Amaewhule won the Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency primary. Other winners included Precious Igwe (Port Harcourt Federal Constituency 1), Blessing Amadi (Port Harcourt II), Hart Cyril Godwin (Bonny/Degema), Felix Uche Nwaeke (Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo), and Isobo Solomon (Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru).
Minor Disputes Being Addressed Through Party Channels
In any large-scale exercise involving thousands of delegates across hundreds of constituencies, disagreements are inevitable. The APC has established mechanisms to address complaints, and a few aspirants have already begun that process.
In Edo State, parallel primaries were reported in some federal constituencies, with rival factions announcing different winners. This is not uncommon in a party where multiple power blocs exist. The party’s leadership is expected to review the complaints and determine which results followed the approved guidelines.
In Delta State, the party’s National Assembly Primaries Appeal Committee has opened its doors to aggrieved aspirants. Committee chairman Chukwuemeka Ujam assured that all petitions would receive due attention according to the party’s constitution.
In Ekiti State, the primary for Oye/Ikole Federal Constituency was declared inconclusive due to pockets of disruption at some voting locations. Committee chairman Asipa Wasiu said the National Working Committee would decide the next steps, whether to send a new committee or direct the current one to complete the exercise. He urged party members in the affected areas to remain calm.
In Gombe State, aspirant Alfred John Attajiri rejected the result of the Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency primary, claiming the exercise did not properly hold. He has called on the party to review the process.
In Kano State, rumors circulated that Senate aspirants were paid N500 million each to step down for former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau. One of the aspirants, Dr. Mohammed Musa Zango, denied the allegation, stating he was not given any money to withdraw. He confirmed that a meeting was held with Governor Abba Yusuf where an agreement was reached to support Shekarau, but noted that the consensus process is ongoing.
In Ondo State, aspirant Hon. Simisola Fajemirokun-Ajayi called on party leadership to ensure that the will of voters in the Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency primary is respected. She remains on the ground awaiting the official declaration of results.
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