Inside The APC Primary Sh*ck: Lawmakers Who Lost Their Seats Revealed

The lawmakers lost their party tickets during the APC House of Representatives primaries held on Saturday, May 16, and the senatorial primaries conducted on Monday, May 18, 2026.

Among those affected are long-serving legislators, including ranking members and principal officers from both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

In the House of Representatives, notable casualties include Nicholas Mutu (Bomadi/Patani, Delta), Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere (Owan, Edo), Ibrahim Isiaka (Ifo/Ewekoro, Ogun), and Mike Etaba (Obubra/Etung, Cross River).

Others who lost out include several lawmakers across Delta, Kogi, Imo, Edo, Kwara, Kebbi, Jigawa, Benue, Plateau, Ogun, Ondo, and Lagos States, reflecting a widespread wave of defeats for incumbent legislators during the primaries.

In Jigawa State, Sa’adu Wada Taura lost his return ticket for Ringim/Taura Federal Constituency after a consensus arrangement produced Yushau Muhammad as candidate.

Also defeated are lawmakers such as Dickson Tarkighir (Benue), Terseer Ugbor (Benue), Bashiru Dawodu (Lagos), and Kafilat Ogbara (Lagos), among others.

One of the most notable losses came from former Labour Party lawmaker turned APC member Donatus Mathew, who failed to secure the ticket for Kaura Federal Constituency after defecting to the ruling party in 2024.

In the Senate, high-profile casualties include Ned Nwoko (Delta North), defeated by former governor Ifeanyi Okowa, as well as Senator Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East), Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central), and Senator Emmanuel Udende (Benue North East), among others.

Other senators who lost their return bids include lawmakers from Ondo, Plateau, Kwara, Benue, and Osun, marking a significant reshuffle ahead of the 2027 general elections.