National Assembly Resumes After Recess: APC Primaries Cause Massive Political Turnover
Nigeria's National Assembly resumes plenary today after a four-week recess, revealing massive political turnover from APC primaries. Over 20 senators lost tickets due to the Electoral Act (Amendment) Act 2026's anti-defection provisions, including Bayelsa East's Benson Agadaga, Kebbi South's Garba Maidoki, and Rivers West's Banigo Ipalibo—ironically affecting lawmakers who supported the bill like Delta North's Ned Nwoko (lost to ex-Gov Ifeanyi Okowa). Senate leaders Akpabio, Barau Jibrin, and Opeyemi Bamidele secured return tickets, while the House saw >50 members lose nominations, including Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere. State-specific upsets hit Cross River (Etaba, Egbona, Offiono, Inyang, Akiba), Benue (six loyalists to SGF Akume), Rivers (Goodhead Boma, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, Kingsley Chinda contesting governorship), and Delta (Ngozi Okolie losing to Ndudi Elumelu), though Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu retained tickets. The Electoral Act amendment bans party changes after INEC submission for same cycle, triggering disqualifications even for those who helped enact the law. With many legislators aware their careers may end in 2027, will this primary fallout make them more independent critics of executive policies or double down on party loyalty to secure future opportunities?