The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, on Saturday, May 16, 2026, was returned unopposed as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Zaria Federal Constituency in the 2027 general election, in a primary exercise that formed part of the APC’s nationwide House of Representatives primaries conducted across the 360 federal constituencies of the country amid a mixed bag of unopposed returns, decisive contests, surprise upsets, allegations of imposition, violence, protests and hijacked election materials.
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The APC had earlier disqualified 14 aspirants from contesting the primaries across Ondo, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Kogi and Rivers states, with the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Felix Morka, disclosing the disqualifications in a statement issued on Saturday and saying the aspirants failed to scale the screening exercise conducted by the party’s screening committees.
Speaker Abbas Returned Unopposed In Zaria
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, was returned unopposed through an affirmation by registered members of the APC in the 13 electoral wards of Zaria Federal Constituency. The exercise, which took place at the 13 electoral wards simultaneously, began at about 10 a.m. and witnessed a large turnout of APC members in a peaceful atmosphere.
At the Speaker’s Kwarbai B Ward, Malam Iliyasu Muhammad Balarabe, the APC returning officer for the ward, informed the gathering that, based on the document handed to him by the national leadership of the APC, there was only one aspirant who purchased a form and was cleared for the Zaria Federal Constituency. When he called for affirmation, all the cleared APC members for Kwarbai B affirmed Abbas Tajudeen as the party’s candidate, and the exercise followed a similar pattern at the remaining 12 electoral wards.
At the collation centre for the Zaria Federal Constituency, the APC Returning Officer for the Zaria Federal Constituency for the party’s primary elections into the House of Reps, Dr. Hamisu Ibrahim Kubau, announced that a total of 1,376 APC members across the 13 wards affirmed Speaker Abbas as the party’s flagbearer.
He said: “There are 13 wards in Zaria Federal Constituency, and there is only one person who bought a form, screened, and cleared. He is Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen. To fulfill all the requirements, we went to all the wards and conducted affirmation. INEC officials and party officials are here. The exercise was conducted peacefully.
“Thousands of party faithful gathered, but we only counted 1,376. I hereby announce Dr. Abbas Tajudeen as the APC flagbearer for Zaria Federal Constituency. I, Dr. Hamisu Ibrahim, hereby certify that the information contained in this document is correct. Congratulations!”
In his goodwill message, the chairman of the APC House of Reps primary elections in Kaduna State, Senator Yakubu Oseni, said based on the outcome of the primary, Speaker Abbas is loved by his people, describing him as a leader with listening ears and expressing optimism that he would easily win at the general elections.
The exercise was monitored and observed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Speaker Abbas thanked APC members in Zaria Federal Constituency for affirming him as the party’s candidate, assuring them of better days as their representative and calling on them to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR; Governor Uba Sani and all the candidates of APC during the 2027 general elections. “My best days as your representative are ahead,” Abbas said.
Other Kaduna Winners
The APC on Saturday also declared winners of its House of Representatives primaries across Kaduna State, with party officials saying the exercise followed the party’s constitution and guidelines. Yakubu Hosseini, chairman of the APC primary election committee, announced results at the party secretariat in Kaduna.
Other declared winners included Amos Gwamna Magaji for Zango Kataf/Jaba (consensus, 1,930 votes); Samaila Abdul Suleiman for Kaduna North (3,049 votes, with Abdulaziz Abubakar Kaka scoring 65 and Abubakar Mahmoud 96); Benjamin Gugong for Kaura (1,085 votes, defeating Donatus Mathieu with 255 votes); Mukhtar Zakari Chawai as consensus candidate for Kauru (1,750 votes); Felix Joseph Bagudu for Chikun/Kajuru (1,580 votes); Daniel Amos for Jema’a/Sanga; Gabriel Saleh for Kagarko/Kachia; Sadiq Ango Abdullahi, son of elder statesman Ango Abdullahi, for Sabon Gari (920 votes); Muhammad Jallo for Igabi (1,171 votes); and Bashir Suleiman Zuntu for Ikara/Kubau (1,787 votes).
Hosseini said each declared candidate “satisfied the requirements of the APC Constitution and Guidelines” before being returned as winners. Kaduna State APC chairman Atiku Sankey accepted the results and declared the exercise concluded.
Deputy Speaker Kalu Returned Unopposed In Bende
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, was on Saturday returned as the candidate of the APC for Bende Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections unopposed.
Kalu was returned through a pronouncement by the APC registered members in the 13 electoral wards of Bende Federal Constituency, namely Bende, Itumbuzo, Uzuakoli, Umuhu, Ozuitem, Umeimenyi Nkpa, Igbere A, Igbere B, Item A, Item B, Item C, Alayi and Ugwueke Ezeukwu.
Party stakeholders, ward executives, and delegates across the constituency commended Kalu’s leadership, legislative performance, and commitment to grassroots development, describing his unopposed emergence as a reflection of the confidence reposed in him by members of the APC and constituents alike.
Speaking after the affirmation of his candidacy, Kalu expressed gratitude to party faithful, community leaders, youths, women groups and his constituents for their continued support and trust, reiterating his commitment to delivering more democratic dividends, promoting inclusive governance, and advancing policies that would improve the welfare and economic opportunities of the people of Bende.
Obasa Wins Agege Ticket Unopposed
In Lagos State, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, won the APC Agege Federal House of Representatives primary election unopposed.
Following his victorious outing, Obasa thanked party faithful and members for their full support while giving remarks after the election at Ward E Oyewole Primary School, Agege: “This is another opportunity given to me by my constituents to represent them at the Federal House of Reps, and I am assuring them of more effective representation at the upper legislative chamber.”
Yusuf Buhari Wins Katsina Primary
In Katsina State, Yusuf Buhari, son of former President Muhammadu Buhari, won the APC primary for Sandamu/Daura/Mai’adua Federal Constituency with a landslide victory, polling 5,849 votes to defeat his closest rival, Auwal Daura, who secured 21 votes.
Party supporters in the area described the outcome as a reflection of the Buhari family’s enduring influence within the constituency and the APC structure in Katsina State.
Akin Rotimi Wins In Ekiti
The spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi, emerged winner of the APC primary election for the Ekiti North I (Ikole/Oye) Federal Constituency of Ekiti State, winning in 22 of 24 wards in the constituency.
He defeated eight other aspirants including former member of the House in the 7th Assembly, Bimbo Daramola, Erelu Kemi Elebute-Halle, Gbenga Joseph, Prince Ayorinde Ejioye, Engr. Ayo Omotosho, Mrs. Funke Owoseni, Kayode Omoboya, and Barr. Yemi Ayodele Ayeni. Three of the aspirants — Owoseni, Omoboya and Ayeni — reportedly stepped down from the race before the exercise began.
Rotimi said the outcome of the primary election underscores the evolving political dynamics in the constituency and consolidates his electoral strength and grassroots appeal in Ekiti North I, adding that in the 10th Assembly, he built a profile around legislative visibility, structured communication of parliamentary activities, and active engagement in national discourse. He commended the peaceful conduct of the exercise, which he said was competitive.
Onyejeocha Returns To Reps Ticket Unopposed In Abia
Former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Barr. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, emerged as the APC candidate for the Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Onyejeocha, who represented the constituency for 16 years before joining President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet in 2023, secured the party’s ticket unopposed, polling over 9,000 votes during the primary exercise.
Her journey back to the ballot began in April 2026, when she resigned her position as Minister of State for Labour and Employment following President Bola Tinubu’s directive requiring all political appointees seeking elective offices in 2027 to step down from their positions. President Tinubu personally commended her tenure at the Labour Ministry, noting that it brought “stability and administrative calm” to his administration.
The Umunneochi Traditional Rulers Council, under the chairmanship of HRH Franklin Ohanaeze, has endorsed Onyejeocha to return to the House of Representatives. During a grand reception held in her honour at Peace Comprehensive Secondary School, Amuda Isuochi, the Council conferred the title “Anyanwu Na Enye Ihie 1” of Umunneochi on her, and also conferred the title “Ike Oha Umunneochi” on President Tinubu.
Onyejeocha pledged to design a “comprehensive developmental template that will translate to tangible grassroots development, including compulsory skill acquisition for women and youths, rural infrastructure, economic empowerment, quality education, and accessible healthcare for the people of Isuikwuato and Umunneochi federal constituency.”
Delta — Elumelu, Waive, Ukodhiko, Onoyake And Others Win
Former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu, Hon. Ejiro Waive, Hon. Jonathan Ukodhiko and other aspirants emerged winners of the APC House of Representatives primary elections held across Delta State.
At the Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency primary, Elumelu secured the APC ticket after emerging victorious at the end of the exercise conducted across the constituency. He was declared winner by the returning officer, Mr. Val Arenyeka, at the Oshimili South Local Government Council Secretariat. He defeated incumbent lawmaker, Ngozi Okolie, in the Oshimili South Federal Constituency primary, with results showing Elumelu dominating several wards, including Ward 11 where officials said Okolie failed to secure a single vote. The Returning Officer, Kingsley Oniawa, described the process as transparent and orderly: “There was no issue. The process was peaceful and calm.”
In the Ughelli North/Ughelli South/Udu Federal Constituency primary, Waive was returned as winner; in Isoko Federal Constituency, Ukodhiko defeated Hon. Dickson Ebegbare to secure the APC ticket; Hon. Ramson Onoyake clinched the APC ticket for Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency; in Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency, Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi emerged winner of the primary election conducted under the Option A4 voting system; Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu won the APC primary in Ethiope Federal Constituency; Mr. Emmanuel Osazuwa secured victory in Ika Federal Constituency; and in Burutu Federal Constituency, Hon. Julius Pondi also emerged winner.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori commended the peaceful and orderly conduct of the exercise across the state. Speaking shortly after casting his vote in his Ward, Okpe Local Government Area, Oborevwori said: “You can see the peaceful manner in which the primary election for the House of Representatives in the Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency was conducted. The people are happy, united and satisfied with the process.”
Delta State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, lauded the APC’s adoption of the Option A4 voting system during the Onicha-Ukwuani primary election, declaring: “If one wants to be truthful, this is the best form of election. Option A4 is the best for our country because secret balloting comes with a lot of deceit.”
Edo — Two Sitting Reps Lose, Igbinedion And Iyamu Emerge
In Edo State, two members of the House of Representatives, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere and Hon. Esosa Iyawe, lost their bid to return to the National Assembly.
Prof. Ihonvbere, who represents Owan Federal Constituency, is in his second term and wanted to make a run for a third term, but his ambition was reportedly against a political arrangement between Owan East and Owan West that the House of Representatives is for only two terms each. His opponent, former Commissioner for Mining, Andrew Ijegbai, was declared winner with a total of 3,695 votes.
Hon. Esosa Iyawe, who represents Oredo, is a first-timer who was elected on the platform of Labour Party but defected to the APC. He was defeated by a former Commissioner of Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, who polled 7,088 votes.
Also in Edo State, Omosede Igbinedion emerged candidate for Ovia Federal Constituency. The Edo APC chairman, Jarret Tenebe, described the exercise as “the freest and fairest primary election ever conducted by any political party in the state.”
Imo — Cubana Chief Priest And Three Incumbents Fall
The APC on Saturday concluded its House of Representatives primaries in Imo State with five serving members and a former lawmaker winning party tickets, while several incumbents were edged out in surprising defeats.
Winners declared by party officials included Eugene Dibiagwu for Oguta/Ohaji-Egbema/Oru West, Tochi Okere for Owerri federal constituency, Canice Moore Nwachukwu Omeogo for Orlu/Orsu/Oru East, Akarachi Amadi for Mbaitoli/Ikeduru, and Jonas Okeke for Okigwe South. Sandra Inyama clinched the Ideato ticket, Ngozi Pat-Ekeji won Ngor-Okpala/Aboh Mbaise, and Chukwudi Anyanwuocha defeated incumbent Emeka Chinedu for Ahiazu/Ezinihitte.
The primaries produced notable upsets. Celebrated entertainer Pascal Okechukwu, known as Cubana Chief Priest, failed in his bid to represent Orlu/Orsu/Oru East after incumbent Canice Moore secured the ticket. Other incumbents who lost included Hon. Harrison Nwadike, Hon. Miriam Onuoha and Hon. Chike Okafor, who were unseated by Cosmos Maduba (Nkwerre/Nwangele/Isu/Njaba), Chukwudi Anyanwuocha (Ahiazu/Ezinihitte), and Jonas Okeke (Okigwe South), respectively.
Imo APC spokesperson Dr. Jones Onwuasoanya said results were still being collated but described the exercise as peaceful and well attended, with voting concluded across the state’s 305 wards and the final ballot cast at Central School, Omuma, where Governor Hope Uzodimma joined party members.
Jigawa — Eight Out Of 11 Aspirants Emerge Unopposed
Eight out of 11 APC House of Representatives aspirants in Jigawa State emerged unopposed following the party’s primary elections held across the 27 local government areas of the state.
Those who emerged unopposed through consensus include Tasiu Ishaq Adamu (Dutse/Kiyawa), Suleiman Dau Aliyu (Birnin Kudu/Buji), Hon. Rabiu Mukhtar (Garki/Babura), Hon. Shitu Galambi (Gwaram), Hon. Abubakar Makki Yanleman (Malam Madori/Kaugama), Hon. Umar Imam (Miga/Jahun), Hon. Abubakar Hassan Fulata (Birniwa/Guri/Kirikasamma), and others across key constituencies.
In constituencies where contests were held, Yushau Muhammad emerged winner for Ringim/Taura, Hon. Nazifi Sani for Gumel/Gagarawa/Sule Tankarkar/Maigatari, Alhaji Zakari Santuraki for Kazaure/Yankwashi/Roni/Gwiwa, and Aliyu Usaini Kano for Hadejia/Auyo/Kafin Hausa.
Governor Umar Namadi expressed satisfaction with the peaceful conduct of the exercise, while the state APC chairman, Hon. Ahmed Maikudi, praised stakeholders and delegates for ensuring a smooth and orderly process.
Kogi — Abejide Sweeps 34 Wards In Yagba
The APC on Saturday conducted its House of Representatives primary elections across Kogi State, with several serving lawmakers and new entrants emerging victorious.
In Yagba Federal Constituency, incumbent lawmaker Hon. Leke Abejide secured the party’s ticket after defeating Pastor Babagbemi in the direct primary election. Results announced in Takete Ide/Otafun Ward 07 showed that Abejide polled 892 votes, while Babagbemi scored two votes. Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, described the exercise as “free, fair and credible.”
Also victorious were Hon. Sanni Egidi Abdulkareem, representing Ajaokuta Federal Constituency, and Hon. Abdullahi Ali Halims of Ankpa/Olamaboro/Omala Federal Constituency, who both clinched the APC tickets in their respective constituencies. In Okene/Ogori-Magongo Federal Constituency, Sanni Salau Ogembe, a new entrant, emerged winner. Hon. Suleiman Danladi Aguye emerged unopposed as the APC candidate for Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency.
One aspirant in Okene/Ogori-Magongo, Muhammed Yahaya Dongo, accused party officials of lacking transparency, alleging manipulation in some wards and absence of INEC officials.
Kwara — Ajakaye Defeats Incumbent Who Scores Zero In Home Ward
In Kwara State, the immediate past Chief Press Secretary to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Dr. Rafiu Ajakaye, defeated the incumbent and two-term House of Representatives member, Hon. Ismail Kayode, in his Erin South Ward of Oyun Local Government Area.
In the official result of Erin South Ward, Ajakaye polled 707 votes to defeat nine other contestants. The result sheet showed that Tajudeen Abioye scored 498 votes, while Ismail Kayode, the incumbent lawmaker, scored nil. Kayode AbdulHakeem polled 370 votes, Owoniyi Olaitan 40 votes, and Olaniyan Azeez 50 votes. Others include Akintunde Shittu with 216 votes, Oyekunle Gbenga 191 votes, Ademola Bello 104 votes, and Ayoola Fakunle 25 votes.
In other constituencies, Hon. Mukhtar Shagaya was reported to be leading in Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency, while Abdulquawiy Olododo, the state Commissioner for Works, emerged as consensus candidate in Ilorin East/South after four aspirants — Ambassador Tajudeen Ibraheem Olesin, Dr. Afeez Abolore, Hon. Babatunde Ajadi Yakubu, and Hon. Mashood Gobir — stepped down in his favour.
In Edu/Moro/Patigi Federal Constituency, Abubakar Bello Tauheed, popularly known as “Car Wash,” recorded a strong lead in Tsaragi Ward 2 with 391 votes. However, an APC aspirant for the same constituency, Amasa Funmilayo Salamat, petitioned the party leadership over alleged irregularities, alleging that party membership cards were withheld from genuine members to manipulate the voting process. “This situation has created room for manipulation and unfair practices, as party leaders control access to membership cards and decide who participates,” she said in the petition addressed to the APC National Working Committee.
Disqualifications — 14 Aspirants Edged Out Across Five States
Ahead of the primaries, the party had disqualified 14 aspirants from contesting across Ondo, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Kogi and Rivers states. The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Felix Morka, disclosed the disqualifications in a statement issued on Saturday, saying the aspirants failed to scale the screening exercise.
Among those disqualified were four serving members of the House of Representatives — Iduma Igariwey from Ebonyi State, Anderson Allison and Awaji-Inombek Abiante from Rivers State, and Boma Goodhead, also from Rivers State.
Others affected included Adefisoye Tajudeen, Olusegun Ategbole, Seun Ajongbolo, Arowole Ayodeji, Morufu Ibrahim, Oseni Oyeniyi, Olaleye Adedipe, Bashir Bello, Sanni Ogembe and retired Air Commodore John Opara. Morka stated that the screening was conducted “in line with established procedures and guidelines,” but did not state the specific reasons for the disqualifications.
Violence In Igabi, Kaduna
However, the primaries were not without controversy as violence and protests erupted in parts of Kaduna and Adamawa states.
The APC primary in Igabi Federal Constituency of Kaduna State turned violent as angry youths confronted the party chairman in the local government area, Bashir Jaji, over alleged irregularities in the exercise. The disputed primary, contested between Sani Dakaci and Hussaini Jalo, sparked outrage among supporters who accused party officials of manipulating the process.
Eyewitnesses said the tension escalated after some party members alleged that there was no proper accreditation or counting of votes before Jalo was declared winner. A viral video circulating online showed the APC chairman being hurried into a vehicle as angry youths stormed the party office amid shouting and chaos.
One of the protesters, Musa Salihu, alleged that supporters were made to queue but were never counted: “We lined up, but nobody counted us. Suddenly, they came out and announced Jalo as the winner. That cannot be called an election.” Another party member, Musbahu Idris, claimed supporters waited for hours expecting accreditation and voting before the result was announced without a visible process. However, a supporter of the APC chairman, Haruna Sani, defended the process: “The allegation of injustice is not correct. The election was conducted properly and the winner emerged accordingly.”
Protests Rock Adamawa
In Adamawa State, protests erupted across Lamurde, Numan and Demsa federal constituencies over allegations that primaries were not conducted despite the announcement of results. Women and youths blocked major roads while chanting anti-party slogans and accusing party leaders of imposing candidates.
One of the aspirants, Vrati Nzonzo, alleged that no election took place in the three local governments: “As I’m talking to you, heavy protest is ongoing in the three local governments. Some people came and started writing results of primaries that did not take place.” Nzonzo alleged that a personal assistant to a serving House of Representatives member was arrested by the police in possession of result sheets.
Another aspirant from Guyuk/Shelleng Federal Constituency, Haruna Daniel, claimed that the committee arrived with a preferred candidate from Abuja and announced her as the party’s flagbearer without conducting any election: “The committee came with a name of a woman from Abuja and announced her as the candidate of the party.”
The former APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Umar Duhu, admitted that there were flaws in the process but urged aggrieved aspirants to accept party supremacy: “The President told us that we should return at least 40 per cent of old members for continuity of good legislative work.”
Materials Hijacked In Benue
In Benue State, late arrival and alleged hijack of election materials disrupted the primaries in several federal constituencies, including Makurdi/Guma and Gwer East/Gwer West. The state publicity secretary of one faction of the APC, Daniel Ihomun, confirmed that election materials were hijacked in some local governments, particularly Makurdi, and also acknowledged that election materials arrived late in several distant local government areas.
Sokoto And Oyo
In Sokoto State, the APC conducted consensus affirmations in 10 of the 11 federal constituencies. In Oyo State, the APC cleared 74 aspirants across the 14 federal constituencies for the primaries. Chairman of the National Assembly Primary Election Committee in the state, Prof. Mojeed Alabi, said the exercise was peaceful and transparent.
The Bigger Picture
Despite the widespread controversies, party leaders insisted that the primaries reflected the APC’s commitment to internal democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, political observers warned that unresolved grievances arising from the exercises could trigger internal crises in several states if not carefully managed by the party leadership.
From the unopposed returns of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Lagos Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and former Minister Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, to the landslide of Yusuf Buhari in Katsina, the sweeping victory of Akin Rotimi in Ekiti, the defeat of Cubana Chief Priest and three sitting Imo lawmakers, the upset of Edo’s Prof. Julius Ihonvbere and Hon. Esosa Iyawe, the humiliating zero score of Kwara’s incumbent in his home ward, the violence in Kaduna’s Igabi, the protests in Adamawa, and the hijack of materials in Benue, the APC’s House of Representatives primaries for the 2027 general elections have delivered both an emphatic affirmation of internal stalwarts and a sobering reminder of the fragilities that continue to dog the party’s internal democratic processes.
With the primaries now concluded, attention shifts to the appeal panels, the courts in some cases, and ultimately to the campaign trail in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.
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