APC Primaries Marred by Protests, Violence, and Disqualifications

* Osoba’s son, Ibori’s daughter, Obasa, Faleke, GNI, others win tickets  

* Wike’s loyalists sweep Rivers

*Aiyedatiwa’s allies disqualified  

* Why we disqualified 4 Fubara’s loyalists, 10 others— Morka

By Clifford Ndujihe, Dayo Johnson, Dapo Akinrefon, Olasunkani Akoni, Demola Akinyemi, Wole Mosadomi, Omeiza Ajayi, Ebunoluwa Sessou, Rotimi Ojomoyela, Shina Abubakar, James Ogunnaike, Olayinka Ajayi & Adeola Badru

The All Progressives Congress (APC) held House of Representatives primaries across the country yesterday, a process that was marked by intense intrigue, drama, and protests. While a few aspirants secured their tickets unopposed through consensus, others won by narrow margins in highly competitive contests.

Disqualifications and withdrawals were also reported, with Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo, Abuja South, parts of Lagos and Cross River emerging as hotspots. In contrast, Bayelsa, Borno, Imo and Anambra experienced largely peaceful primaries.

In Rivers State, the FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, dominated the contest against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, whose loyalists were largely excluded by the APC hierarchy.

‘Why we disqualified 14 aspirants’

As the results filtered in, the party announced a list of 14 aspirants who were screened and subsequently disqualified for not meeting established criteria. National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka tweeted on the party’s X handle on Saturday in Abuja that the screening was carried out “in line with established procedures and guidelines,” but did not specify the individual reasons for each disqualification.

In Rivers State, four aspirants—Air Commodore John Azubuike Opara (Port Harcourt), Hon. Anderson Allison Igbiki (Okrika/Ogu/Bolo), Awaji Imombek D. Abirite (Andoni/Opori/Nkoko) and Hon. Boma Goodhead (Asari Toru/Akuku‑Toro)—were among those disqualified. These candidates were linked to Governor Sim Fubara.

The disqualifications spanned six states, with Ondo and Rivers accounting for the majority. Seven candidates from Ondo were barred: Hon. Adefisoye Tajudeen (Idanre/Ifedore), Olusegun Victor Ategbole and Seun Oluwashina Ajongbolo (Akoko South‑East/South‑West), Rt. Hon. Arowole Ayodeji Samuel (Owo/Ose), and Morufu Tosin Ibrahim, Oseni Oyeniyi and Olaleye John Adedipe (Akoko North‑East/North‑West).

The remaining disqualifications involved Dr. Bashir Ibrahim Bello (Darazo/Ganjuwa, Bauchi), Hon. Idu Igariwe (Afikpo‑Edda, Ebonyi) and Sanni Salau Ogembe (Okene/Ogori/Magongo, Kogi).

Those affected have not yet indicated whether they will challenge the decisions through the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms.

Primaries stall in Abuja South

The primary for the Abuja South Federal Constituency collapsed after a bitter dispute over a consensus candidate, leaving thousands of party members waiting without results. Voters who arrived as early as 8 am at Pilot/Demonstration Primary School, Gwagwalada, and Science Pilot Primary School, Kwali, waited all day for electoral officials who never arrived. By evening, most had dispersed with unused membership cards.

The stalemate followed three days of failed talks among party leaders in Abaji, Kwali, Gwagwalada and Kuje Area Councils, who could not agree on a consensus candidate.

Frontline aspirant and outgoing Gwagwalada Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Jibrin Giri, blamed recent defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for pushing consensus to hijack the process. “Consensus will not work in the FCT. Members will resist any attempt to impose candidates,” he said, insisting on a free and fair primary.

Former National Population Commission Commissioner, Hon. Joseph Shazin, warned that forcing consensus could trigger defections, noting the large turnout as evidence of members’ readiness for a credible contest. The four aspirants—Giri, Danladi Chiya, Yahaya Musa and Ajiya—were in the race.

As of Saturday night, only skeletal activity was reported in parts of Gwagwalada, while the process remained stalled in Kwali and Abaji amid last‑minute talks to salvage a consensus.

Garba clinches consensus ticket for sixth term in Niger

In Niger State, five‑term member Abdullahi Idris Garba (Mai Solar) emerged as the APC consensus candidate for the Kontagora/Wushishi/Mariga/Mashegu Federal Constituency after fellow aspirant Mohammed Rabi’u Daja (Dokajin Kontagora) withdrew “in the interest of party unity and cohesion.”

Bala Marika, Chairman of the Bago/Mai Solar Campaign Council, said the move boosted party stability and reflected a shared commitment to peaceful political engagement and the constituency’s collective interest. He added that Garba’s endorsement was linked to his “track record of effective representation, grassroots engagement and attraction of developmental projects.”

In the same state, former Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Adamu Usman, became the consensus candidate for Mokwa/Edati/Lavun Federal Constituency, while Saeed Musa Abdullahi was returned unopposed as APC consensus candidate for Bida/Gbako/Katcha Federal Constituency. However, some wards experienced disputes that prevented elections as of Saturday, and party sources said efforts were underway to resolve them.

Ajakaye, Olododo win in Kwara

In Kwara State, the primaries produced sweeping victories for leading aspirants, though official results were pending due to disruptions in parts of Kwara North and South.

In Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency, former Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Dr. Rafiu Ajakaye, dominated the polls