The ongoing primary elections of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have continued to generate controversy across the country.
Several protests have emerged from prominent party figures, including serving senators who failed to secure tickets for another term in the National Assembly.
At least 12 sitting senators were unable to obtain return tickets during the APC senatorial primaries held in their various constituencies.
While some of the affected lawmakers are still waiting for decisions from the party’s national leadership regarding the final outcome of the exercise, others have already begun exploring alternative political options, including resigning from the APC.
So far, two serving senators have officially left the ruling party in pursuit of their political ambitions ahead of the 2027 general election.
In addition, a former senior senator who was unsuccessful in his attempt to regain a seat in the National Assembly through the APC has also moved to an opposition platform to continue his political quest.
Below is the list of the affected former and serving senators:
Ovie Omo-Agege
Former Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, parted ways with the APC after losing the party’s senatorial primary election in Delta State. Following his defeat, he joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The former lawmaker subsequently contested for the Delta Central senatorial ticket on the platform of the NDC on Friday, May 29.
His departure from the APC followed his loss to Senator Ede Dafinone, who enjoyed the support of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori during the APC primary process.
Senator Shehu Buba Umar
Senator Shehu Buba Umar, who represented Bauchi South Senatorial District under the APC, also exited the ruling party after failing to clinch its governorship ticket during the primaries. He later moved to the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
Although Umar initially intended to participate in the APC governorship primary, he withdrew from the race just 24 hours before the exercise. He cited concerns over alleged manipulation and the absence of internal democracy within the party.
Shortly after leaving the APC, he was unveiled as the consensus governorship candidate of the PRP for the 2027 election in Bauchi State.
Senator Sama’ila Dahuwa
Senator Sama’ila Dahuwa followed a similar path. Having defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC ahead of the party’s primaries, indications later emerged that he was unlikely to secure the APC ticket for another term. Consequently, he quickly sought another political platform.
That assessment influenced his decision to leave the APC and join the PRP. He was later endorsed as the PRP consensus candidate for the Bauchi North Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 election.
Political observers believe the departure of both Dahuwa and Umar from the APC to the PRP could have a notable impact on the ruling party’s electoral prospects in Bauchi State as preparations for the 2027 polls gather momentum.
