APC primaries select new Edo and other lawmakers for 2027 election

Candidates emerged from All Progressives Congress primaries across several Nigerian states ahead of the 2027 general elections, with multiple serving lawmakers failing to secure return tickets, including House of Representatives Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere in Edo State. The primary for the Owan Federal Constituency ended with former Commissioner for Mining Andrew Ijegbai defeating Ihonvbere, marking one of the most prominent reversals among incumbent lawmakers seeking a third term.

In Edo, party results for Owan were declared at the APC constituency level in Afuze by returning officer Kelvin Muhammed after voting. Ijegbai polled 3,695 votes to defeat Ihonvbere, who received 1,005 votes. The exercise also produced other vote totals, but Ihonvbere’s defeat was the central outcome. Separately, in Oredo Federal Constituency, serving lawmaker Eseosa Iyawe lost the APC ticket to Dr. Paddy Iyamu, immediate past Edo Commissioner for Education, who scored 7,088 votes.

The Edo primaries also included an unopposed nomination. Henry Okojie, representing Esan North East and Esan South East, secured the APC ticket for the 2027 election without contest after the party’s primary in his...