APC Nasarawa Primaries 2026: Jatau, Two Lawmakers Lose Reps Tickets.
Political upset rocks Nasarawa as serving lawmakers fail to secure return tickets ahead of 2027 general elections.
LAFIA, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | APC Nasarawa Primaries 2026 delivered major political surprises on Sunday as the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, lost his bid to clinch the All Progressives Congress https://www.allprogressivescongress.org ticket for the Keffi/Karu/Kokona Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Jatau was defeated by Hon. Daniel Ogah Ogazi, who polled 13,083 votes, while the Speaker secured 5,873 votes in the keenly contested primary. Abdulaziz Danladi trailed with 1,067 votes, marking one of the most dramatic upsets in the state’s internal party contests.
In this report, we examine the key developments, reactions from stakeholders, and the broader implications.
Background of the Story
The APC Nasarawa Primaries 2026 were conducted across the 13 local government areas of the state to determine the party’s candidates for the House of Representatives in five federal constituencies.
The primaries come at a crucial time as political realignments intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections. Internal party democracy within the APC has remained under scrutiny nationwide, making the Nasarawa exercise a litmus test for credibility and transparency.
Interestingly, beyond the Speaker’s defeat, two serving members of the House of Representatives also failed to secure return tickets, underscoring a shifting political tide within the party.
Key Developments
The Chairman of the APC National Assembly Primary Elections Committee, Musa Shuaibu Guri, declared the results in Lafia, describing the exercise as free, fair, and credible.
For the Nasarawa/Toto Federal Constituency, Dr Ahmed Wada Ikaka scored 1,888 votes, Abdullahi Jibril polled 3,728 votes, Ari Abdulmumini Mohammed garnered 9,039 votes, while Hon. Mohammed Al-Bashir emerged victorious with a commanding 31,796 votes.
Al-Bashir’s victory effectively ended the re-election ambition of Mohammed Abdulmumini Ari, the incumbent lawmaker representing the constituency.
In Akwanga/Nasarawa Eggon/Wamba Federal Constituency, Tony Bala Shammah secured 38,333 votes to defeat incumbent lawmaker Jeremiah Umaru, who polled 4,061 votes.
For Keffi/Karu/Kokona Federal Constituency, Daniel Ogah Ogazi’s 13,083 votes proved sufficient to unseat Speaker Danladi Jatau, who managed 5,873 votes, while Abdulaziz Danladi received 1,067 votes.
In Lafia/Obi Federal Constituency, former governor Mohammed Al-Makura emerged as the APC candidate through a consensus arrangement after his rival, Isaac Ali Kigbu, withdrew from the race. Al-Makura received 45,000 affirmation votes.
However, the committee disclosed that results for the Awe/Doma/Keana Federal Constituency were still being collated and would be announced later.
Reactions from Stakeholders
Speaking during the declaration, Musa Shuaibu Guri certified the process as compliant with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act, and the party’s internal guidelines.
“I hereby certify that I am the returning officer for the Nasarawa House of Representatives primary election held on the 16th day of May, 2026,” Guri stated, formally announcing each result and declaring the winners.
He urged all aspirants to close ranks ahead of the 2027 polls.
“We appeal to both winners and those who did not succeed to unite and work for the progress of our great party as we prepare for the general elections,” he added.
Political observers who spoke to The iNews Times described the outcome as evidence of deepening grassroots influence in the party’s internal structure, noting that incumbency no longer guarantees automatic tickets.
Implications
The outcome of the APC Nasarawa Primaries 2026 signals a significant recalibration of political power in the state.
The defeat of a sitting Speaker and two incumbent federal lawmakers highlights growing internal competition and suggests that party delegates may be prioritising electability and local alliances over established political stature.
For the APC, the transparent conduct of the primaries may strengthen its credibility in the state, especially as opposition parties prepare to capitalise on internal divisions where they exist.
However, analysts warn that post-primary reconciliation will be critical. Any lingering grievances among aggrieved aspirants could affect party cohesion ahead of 2027.
What Happens Next
With candidates now emerging in four of the five federal constituencies, attention shifts to the conclusion of results for Awe/Doma/Keana and the broader reconciliation process within the party.
Campaign structures are expected to be activated in the coming months as aspirants consolidate support bases and begin strategic engagements across constituencies.
The 2027 general elections may still be months away, but the APC in Nasarawa has effectively fired the first decisive shot.
Conclusion
The APC Nasarawa Primaries 2026 have reshaped the political landscape in the state, unseating powerful incumbents and elevating new contenders ahead of a crucial electoral cycle.
For Danladi Jatau and other affected lawmakers, the results mark a significant political setback. For the APC, the challenge now lies not in winning primaries, but in sustaining unity, managing ambitions, and translating internal victories into electoral success in 2027.
As always, The iNews Times will continue to monitor developments and provide in-depth political analysis as events unfold.
