BY FRONTLINE REPORTERS
The race for the 2027 House of Representatives elections gathered momentum yesterday as top political figures, including Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Lagos Assembly Speaker Mudasiru Obasa, Chairman of the House Committee on Finance James Faleke and Yusuf Buhari, son of late former President Muhammadu Buhari, secured the All Progressives Congress (APC) tickets to contest for seats in the Green Chamber.
While Abbas, Kalu and Faleke are seeking re-election, Yusuf Buhari is making his first bid for the National Assembly after defeating his opponent with a landslide margin in the Sandamu/Daura/Mai’adua primary.
Several other political heavyweights also emerged victorious during the APC primaries held across the country. Among them are Jimi Benson, Yusuf Gagdi, Leke Abejide, Ndudi Elumelu, Olumide Osoba and Rivers State Assembly Speaker Martin Amaewhule.
However, the primaries also produced major upsets as House Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere lost his re-election bid in Edo State. Celebrity businessman Cubana Chief Priest also failed to secure a ticket, alongside four serving lawmakers from Imo State and two incumbents from Nasarawa.
Abbas, Obasa Return Unopposed
In Kaduna State, Abbas Tajudeen was returned unopposed for the Zaria Federal Constituency ticket amid jubilation by party faithful.
Reacting to his endorsement, the Speaker expressed gratitude to APC members across the 13 wards of the constituency, describing the victory as a renewed call to service and commitment to the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Tinubu.
Similarly in Lagos, Mudasiru Obasa clinched the APC ticket for Agege unopposed, thanking supporters for what he described as overwhelming trust and solidarity.
Faleke also secured victory in Ikeja/Ojodu, while Jimi Benson retained Ikorodu Federal Constituency. Dele Oshinowo defeated rivals to emerge candidate for Kosofe Federal Constituency.
Yusuf Buhari Celebrates Landslide Victory
Yusuf Buhari polled 5,849 votes to defeat his challenger, Auwal Lawal Daura, who managed only 21 votes.
Celebrating the outcome, Buhari thanked party supporters and described the victory as a mandate for greater representation and development.
“Alhamdulillah! This overwhelming mandate reflects the trust and confidence our people have in us,” he stated.
Heavyweights Suffer Defeat
One of the biggest shocks of the primaries came from Edo State where Julius Ihonvbere lost his bid for a third term after being defeated by former Commissioner for Mining, Andrew Ijegbai.
The defeat was reportedly linked to an existing zoning arrangement between Owan East and Owan West federal constituencies.
In Imo State, four serving lawmakers — Matthew Nwogu, Miriam Onuoha, Harrison Nwadike and Emeka Martins Chinedu — all lost their return tickets.
Celebrity businessman Cubana Chief Priest also failed in his bid to secure the APC ticket, ending his much-publicised political ambition before the main election.
Protests, Chaos Rock Primaries
Despite high turnout across several states, the exercise was marred by protests, allegations of manipulation and violence in some areas.
In Kaduna, supporters of aspirant Abdulaziz Kaka accused party officials of disenfranchising voters by failing to deliver election materials to key polling centres.
In Abuja South, confusion erupted after stakeholders rejected moves to impose a consensus candidate. Angry party members who waited for hours at voting centres accused APC leaders of attempting to sideline grassroots supporters.
Former Gwagwalada Area Council Chairman, Abubakar Jibrin Giri, strongly opposed the consensus arrangement, insisting that aspirants should be allowed to test their popularity through direct primaries.
“Consensus will not work in the FCT. Party members will resist any attempt to impose candidates,” he declared.
Pandemonium also broke out in Jos South, Plateau State, after suspected thugs disrupted vote counting during the APC primary for Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency.
Security operatives were forced to intervene and evacuate electoral officials from the venue after tensions escalated between supporters of rival aspirants.
Governors Hail Exercise
Several governors commended the conduct of the primaries in their states.
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori described the exercise as peaceful and transparent, while Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum defended the use of consensus arrangements, insisting that no aspirant was denied the right to contest.
In Rivers State, Martin Amaewhule secured the APC ticket for Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, further strengthening his political relevance within the state’s power structure.
Meanwhile, in Ekiti State, House spokesman Akintunde Rotimi defeated five contenders to emerge APC candidate for Ekiti North I Federal Constituency after sweeping 22 out of 24 wards.
Across Ogun, Kogi, Kebbi, Yobe, Borno, Jigawa and Kwara states, dozens of incumbents retained their tickets while several newcomers emerged victorious in fiercely contested races, setting the stage for what promises to be an intense battle for control of the House of Representatives in 2027.
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