The recently concluded All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries have dealt a setback to several lawmakers who defected from opposition parties in hopes of securing the ruling party’s tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The APC conducted its nationwide primaries between May 16 and May 23, 2026, beginning with House of Representatives contests and ending with the presidential primary. The exercise produced candidates for various elective positions ahead of next year’s elections.
However, the outcome left many defectors disappointed, as a significant number failed to obtain the party’s nomination despite switching allegiance from opposition parties.
More than 120 members of the National Assembly, including senators and House of Representatives members, had crossed over from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and other opposition platforms to the APC. Many of them sought APC tickets to retain their seats in 2027 but were unsuccessful.
The results have sparked criticism from affected aspirants, who accused the party of unfair treatment and questioned the benefits of their political defections. The development has also reignited debates about the political calculations behind the mass movement of opposition lawmakers to the ruling party.
While some aspirants alleged imposition of candidates, manipulation of the process, and a lack of internal democracy, APC leaders insisted that the primaries were conducted in accordance with party rules and electoral regulations.
Among those who lost out were:
- Hon. Nicholas Mutu, representing Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency in Delta State, who left the PDP after seven terms in the National Assembly.
- Hon. Mike Etaba, a three-term lawmaker representing Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency in Cross River State, who defected from the PDP.
- Hon. Ngozi Okolie, representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency in Delta State, who moved from the Labour Party to the APC.
- Hon. Esosa Iyawe of Oredo Federal Constituency, Edo State.
- Hon. Matthew Nwogu of Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency, Imo State.
- Hon. Mansur Musa Jega of Jega/Gwandu/Aleiro Federal Constituency, Kebbi State.
- Hon. Bassey Akiba, representing Odukpani/Calabar Municipality Federal Constituency in Cross River State.
Other lawmakers who failed to secure APC tickets after defecting include:
- Hon. Daniel Asama of Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency, Plateau State.
- Hon. Ajang Iliya of Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency, Plateau State.
- Hon. Donatus Mathew, the former commercial motorcycle rider who won the Kaura Federal Constituency seat in Kaduna State under the Labour Party in 2023 before joining the APC in December 2024.
At the Senate level, Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North), who left the PDP for the APC, was unable to clinch the party’s ticket. The same fate befell Senator Neda Imasuen (Edo South), who was elected under the Labour Party in 2023 before defecting to the APC, as well as former lawmaker Hon. Nicholas Ossai of Delta State.
In Rivers State, several former PDP members were barred from participating in the APC primaries after being disqualified. They include:
- Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante, representing Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency.
- Hon. Boma Goodhead of Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru Federal Constituency.
- Retired Air Commodore John Azubuike Opara, an aspirant for the Port Harcourt Federal Constituency seat.
- Anderson Allison Igbiki, who sought the APC ticket for Okrika/Ogu-Bolo Federal Constituency.
Similarly, Senator Benson Agadaga of Bayelsa East, who defected from the PDP to the APC earlier this year, was disqualified from the process. Senator Garba Maidoki of Kebbi South, another former PDP member who later joined the ruling party, also failed to advance after being disqualified.
The outcome of the APC primaries has highlighted the risks associated with political defections, as several lawmakers who switched parties in pursuit of re-election opportunities were ultimately denied the tickets they sought.