At least 54 serving members of Nigeria’s National Assembly have lost their bids to run for re‑election under the All Progressives Congress (APC) banner.
The defeats occurred during the APC House of Representatives primaries on Saturday, May 16, 2026, and the senatorial primaries on Monday, May 18, 2026.
House of Representatives Losers
Among the House members who lost their tickets are several ranking legislators and principal officers:
• Hon. Nicholas Mutu (Bomadi/Patani, Delta State)
• Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, Majority Leader (Owan, Edo State)
• Ibrahim Isiaka (Ifo/Ewekoro, Ogun)
• Mike Etaba (Obubra/Etung, Cross River)
• Ngozi Lawrence Okolie (Aniocha/Oshimili, Delta)
• David Zachariya (Igalamela/Idah, Kogi)
• Tijani Ahmed Ozigi (Okene/Ogori‑Magongo, Kogi)
• Eseosa Iyawe (Oredo, Edo)
• Matthew Nwogu (Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala, Imo)
• Miriam Onuoha (Okigwe North, Imo)
• Chike Okafor (Okigwe South, Imo)
Additional House losers who will not return to the Green Chamber include:
• Harrison Nwadike (Isu/Njaba/Nkwerre/Nwangele, Imo)
• Emeka Martins Chinedu (Ahiazu/Ezinihitte, Imo)
• Ismail Kayode (Ifelodun/Oyun/Offa, Kwara)
• Mansur Musa Jega (Jega/Gwandu/Aleiro, Kebbi)
• Muktar Muhammad (Kazaure/Roni/Gwiwa Yankwashi, Jigawa)
• Ibrahim Usman Auyo (Hadejia/Auyo/Kafin Hausa, Jigawa)
• Hon. Sa’adu Wada Taura (Ringim/Taura, Jigawa) – lost to Yushau Muhammad by consensus
• Yusif Sa’idu Miga (Jahun/Miga, Jigawa)
• Dickson Tarkighir (Makurdi/Guma, Benue)
• Terseer Ugbor (Kwande/Ushongo, Benue)
• Sesoo Ikpagher (Vandeikya/Konshisha, Benue)
• Asema Achado (Gwer East/Gwer West, Benue)
• Sekav Iortyom (Buruku, Benue)
• David Ogewu (Oju/Obi, Benue)
• Bassey Akiba (Odukpani/Calabar Municipality, Cross River)
• Daniel Asama (Jos North/Bassa, Plateau)
Other notable House contestants who fell short were Vincent Bulus (Langtang, Plateau), John Dafaan (Qua’anpan/Shendam/Mikang, Plateau), Ajang Iliya (Jos South/Jos East, Plateau), Jeremiah Umaru (Wamba/Akwanga/Nasarawa Eggon), Ari Mohamed Abdul‑Mumin (Nasarawa/Toto), Abiodun Akinlade (Ipokia/Yewa South, Ogun), Tunji Akinosi (Ado‑Odo/Ota, Ogun), Femi Ogunbanwo (Odogbolu/Ijebu Ode/Ijebu North East, Ogun), Adesola Elegbeji (Remo, Ogun), and Jimi Odimayo (Okitipupa/Irele, Ondo).
Donatus Mathew, a former commercial motorcycle rider who won the Kaura Federal Constituency seat for Kaduna State on the Labour Party ticket in 2023 before defecting to the APC in December 2024, also failed to regain his APC nomination.
Further House defeats include Timilehin Adelegbe (Owo/Ose, Ondo), Bashiru Dawodu (Oshodi‑Isolo, Lagos), Kafilat Ogbara (Kosofe, Lagos), and Akinlayo Kolawole (Ekiti North II), who lost the ticket to former National Assembly member Ibrahim Olarewaju.
Senatorial Losers
In the Senate, the following incumbents lost their APC return tickets:
• Ned Nwoko (Delta North) – defeated by former Delta State governor Ifeanyi Okowa
• Neda Imasuen
• Jibrin Isah (Kogi East), popularly known as Echocho
• Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central) – serving his fourth consecutive term
• Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (Ondo Central)
• Senator Olajide Ipinsagba (Ondo North)
• Senator Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East)
• Senator Diket Plang (Plateau Central)
• Senator Lola Ashiru (Kwara South)
• Senator Emmanuel Udende (Benue North East) – lost to former governor Gabriel Suswam
• Senator Titus Zam (Benue North West)
• Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central)
The list reflects a significant shake‑up within the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections, with many long‑serving lawmakers and party principals unable to secure their party’s nomination for another term.
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