NIGERIA — Seven members of the House of Representatives in Benue State and former lawmaker Farouk Lawan lost their bids for All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination tickets during primary elections held on Saturday, May 16, 2026.
Okay News reports that the spokesperson of the APC in Kano, Auwalu Soja, confirmed that Abba Bichi, Nigeria’s Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, emerged as the sole candidate for the Bichi Federal Constituency through affirmation. Soja stated that 22 candidates emerged through a consensus arrangement while elections were conducted in two constituencies where stakeholders failed to reach an agreement.
In Benue State, the Chairman of the National Assembly Primary Election Committee, Sabiu Mahuta, declared Regina Akume nominated for the Gboko/Tarka federal Constituency. Akume, the wife of Nigeria’s Secretary to the Government of the Federation, received 19,638 votes to defeat Alomo Orpin, who received 2,779 votes. Blessing Onuh, the daughter of a former Senate President, won the Otukpo/Ohimini constituency nomination with 17,451 votes against Lawrence Onoja, who received 974 votes. Solomon Wombo secured the ticket for the Katsina-Ala/Ukum/Logo constituency.
In Jigawa State, four-term representative Sa’idu Miga lost the APC return ticket for the Jahun and Miga Federal Constituency. Miga first entered the House of Representatives in 2003 as a member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) before joining the APC during the 2014 merger.
Farouk Lawan failed to secure the APC ticket to contest the Bagwai/Shannon Federal constituency in 2027. Lawan lost the contest to Yusuf Badau. Other winners in Kano included Abdulmumin Jibrin for the Kiru/ Bebeji Federal Constituency, Shehu Muhammad for the Fagge Federal constituency, and Abdullahi Ganduje for the Kabo/Gwarzo Federal Constituency.
Nigeria’s House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, claimed victory in the primary for the Owan East/Owan West Federal Constituency of Edo State. A statement from his Chief Press Secretary, Samson Akhanieme, indicated Ihonvbere received 4,729 votes, while Andrew Ijegbai received 2,912 votes and Abdul Oroh received 29 votes. “I remain committed to working with all stakeholders and former aspirants to ensure total victory for the APC in the 2027 general elections,” Ihonvbere said.
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, visited the Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency during the exercise. “The people are happy, united and satisfied with the process,” Oborevwori said.
The Chairman of the Borno APC election committee, Ode Erue, declared the primary for the Askira/Uba/Hawul federal constituency inconclusive on May 17, 2026. Erue said the committee had not yet received the report from the Appeal Committee. He described the conduct of the election across 312 wards and 27 local councils in Borno State as orderly.
