APC Senators Lose Return Tickets As Anti-defection Law Disrupts 2027 Primaries
APC senators lose return tickets as anti-defection law disrupts 2027 primaries Several serving lawmakers suffered defeats or disqualifications during APC senatorial primaries, with the Electoral Act 2026 emerging as a major factor. Several serving senators of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress APC have lost their return tickets during the party’s primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections, amid controversies surrounding new anti-defection provisions contained in the Electoral Act 2026. Among the major political upsets was the defeat of Senator Ned Nwoko in the Delta North Senatorial District primary. The lawmaker lost the APC ticket to former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa by a wide margin. In Edo South Senatorial District, Senator Neda Imasuen was defeated by former House of Representatives member Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, while Senator Jibrin Isah, popularly known as Echocho, lost the Kogi East primary to Dr Erico Ameh. Apart from those defeated at the polls, several senators were reportedly disqualified during the screening process under the stricter anti-defection rules introduced in the amended Electoral Act. Those affected include Senators Ipalibo Banigo, Benson Agadaga and Abdulhamid Madori.
The amended law bars politicians from changing political parties after party membership registers have been submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the same election cycle. The provision was initially introduced to discourage last-minute defections ahead of the 2027 elections.Political observers say the law has now “backfired” on some lawmakers within the APC who were among those believed to have supported the amendment when it was passed earlier this year. Despite the setbacks, several APC heavyweights successfully secured their return tickets. Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and former Senate President Ahmad Lawan all emerged victorious in their respective primaries. The primaries were also marred by allegations of violence, intimidation, manipulation and internal disputes in several states, highlighting growing tensions within the ruling party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Several APC senators lost return tickets during 2027 primaries
- Ned Nwoko lost Delta North ticket to Ifeanyi Okowa
- Some lawmakers disqualified under anti-defection rules
- Electoral Act 2026 provisions affected party screening
- APC primaries witnessed disputes and allegations of violence
