Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has concluded its House of Representatives primaries nationwide, producing a mix of high-profile winners and disqualified aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The exercise, conducted across all 360 federal constituencies, saw at least 14 aspirants barred from participating after failing to meet the party’s screening requirements. The affected hopefuls were drawn from several states, including Ondo, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Kogi, and Rivers.
Among the standout outcomes of the primaries was the emergence of Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, as a successful candidate. Also securing a ticket was Yusuf Buhari, son of former President Muhammadu Buhari, marking a significant political step for the younger Buhari.
The primaries reflect the APC’s ongoing internal processes as political activities intensify ahead of the next election cycle. Party officials maintained that the screening and selection procedures were designed to ensure only qualified candidates represent the party at the polls.
Across various constituencies, contests ranged from fiercely competitive races to smoother victories by established political figures. In some areas, aspirants stepped down prior to voting, while in others, the contests went ahead with full participation among cleared candidates.
The disqualification of the 14 aspirants has, however, sparked conversations within political circles about internal party democracy and transparency. While the APC has not publicly detailed the specific reasons for each disqualification, such decisions are typically linked to documentation issues, eligibility concerns, or failure to meet stipulated guidelines.
Meanwhile, other notable developments from the primaries include the emergence of key political figures in different states, underscoring the party’s strategic positioning ahead of 2027. The outcomes are expected to shape political alignments and influence future campaign dynamics nationwide.
Political analysts note that early consolidation of candidates gives the APC a head start in preparing for the general elections, although internal disputes arising from primaries could still pose challenges if not effectively managed.
As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 elections, attention is expected to shift toward other parties’ primaries and potential alliances, setting the stage for what could be another highly competitive electoral cycle.
