By Frontline Reporters
Tension, intrigues and high-stakes political manoeuvres swept across the camps of aspirants ahead of today’s House of Representatives primaries of the All Progressives Congress, as serving lawmakers and powerful party figures battled desperately to retain their seats.
Across several states, anxiety mounted over the party’s failure to release detailed election guidelines and screening results before the shadow polls, leaving many aspirants uncertain about their fate barely hours to the exercise. The confusion triggered accusations of plots to sideline some contenders through last-minute disqualifications and hidden arrangements.
Some election officials deployed from the APC national secretariat reportedly lamented that they were left stranded without operational guidelines. Frustrated aspirants also accused party leaders of orchestrating political ambushes to favour preferred candidates. “It is election eve and some of us still do not know whether we have been cleared,” an aggrieved Benue aspirant complained.
Despite the uncertainty, some political heavyweights appear set for smooth rides. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, is expected to emerge as sole candidate for Zaria Federal Constituency after reportedly shelving plans to contest for the Senate following interventions by Kaduna political leaders who want him returned as Speaker in the next Assembly.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu has also positioned himself for a likely unopposed return from Bende Federal Constituency in Abia State, despite earlier speculations linking him to the governorship race.
In Edo State, however, fierce political battles are unfolding. House Leader Julius Ihonvbere is facing mounting pressure from constituents demanding power rotation to Owan East Local Government Area. Former lawmaker Abdul Oroh and ex-commissioner Andrew Ijegbai are challenging his bid for a third consecutive term, setting the stage for a fierce contest.
Lagos is equally witnessing intense political fireworks. In Agege Federal Constituency, first-term lawmaker Wale Hammed is reportedly facing a tough challenge from Lagos Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, who is believed to enjoy strong backing within the party hierarchy. In Kosofe, a major showdown looms between incumbent Kafilat Ogbara and Remi Odunsi, both reportedly banking on influential political connections to clinch the APC ticket.
In Rivers State, the APC cleared 21 aspirants for the primaries but disqualified four aspirants loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, including serving lawmakers Awaji-Inombek Abiante and Boma Goodhead. The development has deepened political divisions within the state chapter of the party.
Controversy also erupted in Kaduna over the age of House of Representatives aspirant Mohammed Sadis Buba after an international passport surfaced online allegedly contradicting his claimed age of 30. The issue has sparked heated debates among party members ahead of the primaries.
Elsewhere, veteran lawmakers including Ahmed Idris Wase, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, Mukhtar Betara and James Abiodun Faleke are all pushing for fresh mandates amid growing calls for zoning, generational shift and broader inclusion across many constituencies.
In Ondo State, fresh tension erupted after aspirants accused Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of attempting to impose preferred candidates as consensus aspirants. Some contenders warned that any attempt to manipulate the process or deploy thugs during the primaries could trigger serious internal crisis within the party.
Meanwhile, cracks also emerged in Ogun State after four aspirants rejected the endorsement of Senator Shuaib Salisu as consensus candidate for Ogun Central Senatorial District. Former lawmakers Lanre Tejuoso and Olugbenga Obadara, alongside other aspirants, insisted on direct primaries, further exposing widening disagreements within the party.
As the APC heads into one of its most crucial internal elections ahead of 2027, observers say the primaries may shape not only the future of the ruling party but also determine the balance of power in the next National Assembly.
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2026-05-13