APC House of Reps Primaries: Abbas, Kalu, Buhari’s Son Win; Ihonvbere, Cubana Lose

The All Progressives Congress held its House of Representatives primaries across Nigeria’s 360 federal constituencies this weekend, delivering wins for some high-profile figures while handing stunning defeats to others.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas secured his party’s ticket for Zaria Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, emerging unopposed after an affirmation exercise across all 13 electoral wards in his constituency. His deputy, Benjamin Kalu, also won unanimously for Bende Federal Constituency in Abia State, with party members from all 13 wards backing his third-term bid.

In a result that drew significant attention, Yusuf Buhari, son of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, won the APC primary for Sandamu/Daura/Mai’adua Federal Constituency in Katsina State. Buhari polled 6,386 votes to defeat Auwal Daura, son of former DSS Director-General Lawal Musa Daura, who managed just 322 votes.

Not everyone was as fortunate. Notable losers included House Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere, who lost his Akoko-Edo/Owan West/Owan East seat in Edo State. Flamboyant socialite Pascal Okechukwu, better known as Cubana Chief Priest, also failed to clinch the ticket for Orsu/Orlu/Oru East federal constituency in Imo State, with the incumbent Canice More Nwachukwu winning the primary.

The primaries were not without controversy. The party disqualified 14 aspirants, though National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka did not specify the grounds for disqualification. In Zamfara State, the party rescheduled its National Assembly primaries to Monday, May 18, citing logistical issues.

Governors across several states praised the conduct of the exercise. Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori commended the peaceful process, while Oyo State APC Primaries Committee Chairman Prof. Mojeed Alabi described the exercise as “peaceful, transparent and credible.” However, discordant voices emerged in Ondo State, where a party chieftain criticized the timing of releasing the list of disqualified aspirants.

The primaries mark a critical step in APC’s preparation for the 2027 general elections, with the presidential primary scheduled for May 23 and governorship primaries following on May 25.

Sources: Arise News, TheCable, The Whistler, Channels TV