Over 40 members of the House of Representatives have lost the ticket to return to the Green Chamber after losing out during the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections that took place across the country during the weekend.
The figures are expected to soar higher when APC releases the official results of the primaries and after opposition parties such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), etc, conduct their primaries.
It is worthy to note that House Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen (Kano), and his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu (Abia), are among the legislators who won the APC return tickets.
Lawmakers who lost re-election tickets of the APC include Hon. Nicholas Mutu (Bomadi/Patani, Delta State) who has been in the House since 1999; and Hon. Mike Etaba (Obubra/Etung, Cross River) who missed the fourth term ticket.
Professor Julius Ihonvbere, the Majority Leader of the House Representatives, is among the non-returning legislators. Ihonvbere lost the APC ticket for Owan Federal Constituency of Edo State, in the Saturday’s primaries. He polled 1,005 votes our of the 7,587 votes cast and came third in the exercise won by Andrew Ijegbia (3,695 votes). Also, Abdul Oroh got 1,740 votes, Barrister Scot got 642 votes while Hon Folly got 505 votes.
The member representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency, Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, lost his bid for a third term. Results announced by the returning officer, Daspan Ishaya, showed that Dr. John Tongshinen recorded a total of 29,968 votes in the exercise while Gagdi had less than 6000 votes.
Those who returned in Borno are Usman Zannah (Gubio/Kaga/Magumeri); Betara Aliyu (Biu/Shani/Kwaya Kusar/Bayo); Kadiri Rahis (Maiduguri Metropolitan Council); Satomi Ahmed (Jere); Bukar Talba (Marte/Monguno/Nganzai); and Ahmed Jaha (Gwoza/Chibok/Damboa).
Newly elected candidates include Hajja Fati Kakenna for Kukawa/Abadam/Mobbar/Guzamala; Dr. Kaumi Umara Zulum for Mafa/Konduga/Dikwa and Mustapha Abdullahi Babani for Bama/Ngala/Kala-Balge. (Askira-Uba/Hawul Federal was inconclusive.
From The South-South
The primaries produced some surprises across South-South states as several incumbent members were denied return tickets.
In Bayelsa State, two incumbent members retained the party tickets in Yenagoa/Kolokuma-Opukuma federal constituency, which is Governor Douye Diri’s constituency. The incumbent member, Oforji Oboku, won the party’s ticket.
In Southern Ijaw federal constituency, Engr. Rodney Ambaiowei, the incumbent member, also won.
In Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency, Bernard Kenebai, a current member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, emerged victorious as the incumbent, Hon. Fred Agbedi, a ranking member who chose to stick with the PDP, aspires for Bayelsa West Senate seat.
In Ogbia Federal Constituency, Jude Rex Ogbuku won as the incumbent, Hon. Matema Obodor of the PDP, refused to defect alongside Governor Douye Diri to the APC.
For Nembe/Brass Federal Constituency, Jonathan Robinson Obuebite clinched the APC ticket. The incumbent member, Hon. Marie Ebikake who also remained in the PDP decided to contest for the Bayelsa East Senatorial seat.
The Massive Loss in Cross River
In Cross River State, five of the eight serving Reps lost out, among whom are three-term member, Mike Etaba, representing Obubra/Etung; two-term member, Alex Egbona, representing Abi/Yakurr, who defected to the PDP before the deadline; one-term member, Godwin Offiono, representing Ogoja/Yala federal constituency; one-term member, Emil Inyang, representing Akamkpa/Biase federal constituency; and one-term member, Bassey Akiba, representing Odukpani/Calabar Municipality.
Three serving Reps, who got return tickets included one-term member, Peter Akpanke of Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku; one-term member, Joseph Bassey of Akpabuyo/Bakassi/Calabar South; and one-term member, Victor Abang representing Ikom/Boki.
In Akwa Ibom
Only Okpolupum Etteh who represents Eket/Esit Eket/Ibeno Federal Constituency, lost out. He was defeated by Mrs. Eunice Thomas, a former Commissioner for Women Affairs.
Rivers State
Among those who will not be returning are Hon. Goodhead Boma representing Asari-Toru and Hon. Abiante Awaji-Inombek Dagomie representing Andoni/Opobo who were disqualified by the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Screening Committee from participating in the House of Representatives primary elections. Hon. Kingley Ogundu Chinda will also not return following his decision to run the Rivers Governorship race.
Hon. Emerengwa Boniface Sunday decided to run for senate but was disqualified by the screening committee, hence will also not return to the 11th House.
Delta State
Hon. Ngozi Lawrence Okolie of Aniocha/Oshimili federal constituency lost the ticket to former House Minority Leader, Ndudi Elumelu, while Hon. Nicholas of Bomadi/Patani also lost the primary election.
Ekiti State
Three incumbent lawmakers lost out during the party primaries. In Ekiti Central federal constituency II, Oladapo Karounwi, polled 6,573 votes to defeat the incumbent, Abiodun Omoleye, who scored 2,096 votes. In Ekiti South federal constituency I, Okoro Toyin Zaccheaus scored 9,798 votes to defeat the incumbent, Rufus Adeni Ojuawo, who had 1,842 votes. In Ekiti North federal constituency II, Ibrahim Olanrewaju also polled 6,856 votes to defeat the incumbent, who scored 2,102 votes.
5 Lawmakers Lose in Ogun
In Ogun State, five of the nine serving lawmakers failed to secure tickets to return to the Green Chamber, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Among those who lost their bids were Ishaq Akinlade of Yewa North/Ipokia Federal Constituency; Ibrahim Isiaka, representing Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency and serving as Deputy Chief Whip; Tunji Akinosi of Ado-Odo/Ota Federal Constituency; and Femi Ogunbanwo of Ijebu Ode/Ijebu North East/Odogbolu Federal Constituency.
6 Lawmakers Lose in Ondo
Only three of the nine serving All Progressives Congress members of the House of Representatives from Ondo State won their primaries and secured tickets to return to the Green Chamber. Those that are not returning are: Hon. Adelegbe Oluwatimehin Emmanuel of Owo/Ose, Hon. Adefiranye Ayodele Festus of Ileoluji-Okeibo/Odigbo, Hon. Ojogo Donald Kimikamboh of Eseodo/Ilaje and Hon. Adesida Abiodun Cornelius Aderin of Akure North/Akure South.
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