While the final results of the House of Representatives and Senate primaries of the All Progressives Congress, APC, are awaited, no fewer than 70 of the party’s 330 serving lawmakers in the National Assembly will not return in 2027.
APC has 242 Reps and 88 senators, most of whom are seeking re-election. Rep Donatus Matthew, famously known as okada rider, who was elected on the platform of the Labour Party, LP, to represent Kaura Constituency, Kaduna, but defected to the APC, recently, headline legislators who will not return. He was disqualified during screening by the APC hierarchy.
Former LP federal lawmakers, who defected to the APC only to lose their re-election tickets in the APC primaries include: Esosa Iyawe, who lost Oredo Federal Constituency, Edo State to Dr. Paddy Iyamu; Senator Neda Imasuen, Edo South; Tochukwu Okere (Imo); Bassey Akiba (Cross River), and Daulyop Fom (Plateau) among others.
APC Senators, who will not return on account of losing the primaries, withdrawing or stepping down include Senators Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East); Diket Plang (Plateau Central); Osita Izunaso (Imo West); Emmanuel Udende (Benue North-East); Titus Zam (Benue West); Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central); Saliu Mustapha (Kwara) and Ned Nwoko (Delta North).
Currently, subject to ratification of the APC hierarchy, no fewer than 58 Reps and 12 senators won’t return as they cannot pursue their aspirations on another platform because of the new Electoral Act and guidelines. Parties’ submission of membership registers lapsed May 10.
