Chaos. Violence. Shock defeats.

That was the picture across several states as the All Progressives Congress, APC, concluded its National Assembly primaries ahead of the 2027 elections.

By the end of the exercise, no fewer than 70 serving lawmakers were staring at political exits.

Some lost outright. Some were pushed aside. Others walked away bruised by controversy.

From Ondo to Benue, Delta to Kogi, the primaries exposed deep cracks inside the ruling party — with allegations of vote manipulation, candidate imposition and intimidation dominating the process.

Among the major casualties were former Labour Party lawmakers who defected to the APC but failed to secure return tickets. They include Senator Neda Imasuen (Edo South), Esosa Iyawe (Edo), Tochukwu Okere (Imo), Bassey Akiba (Cross River) and Daulyop Fom (Plateau).

Several APC senators also lost their bids, including Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East), Emmanuel Udende (Benue North-East), Titus Zam (Benue West), Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central) and Ned Nwoko (Delta North).

Gunshots in Ondo

The biggest drama unfolded in Ondo State.

Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire narrowly escaped harm after armed thugs stormed his polling unit in Akure during the senatorial primary.

Witnesses said gunmen fired sporadically into the air as voting was being counted. Panic followed immediately. Delegates ran. Journalists fled. Parents rushed to nearby schools to evacuate children.

Supporters of the senator claimed the attack began after it became obvious he was leading the exercise.

Adegbonmire later described the primary as a “complete charade,” accusing political rivals of orchestrating violence to disrupt the process.

APC headquarters steps in

The controversy deepened in Delta State after the APC national leadership rejected the announcement of some primary results from state collation centres.

APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru said only the National Working Committee, NWC, has the authority to officially declare winners after reviewing petitions and complaints.

That decision immediately threw several victories into uncertainty and raised fresh tension among aspirants.

Benue shockers, Kogi protest

In Benue State, two serving senators were swept aside.

Former governor Gabriel Suswam defeated Senator Emmanuel Udende in Benue North-East, while retired customs officer Benjamin Aber stunned Senator Titus Zam in Benue North-West.

Both lawmakers rejected the outcome, alleging manipulation of results.

In Abuja, angry protesters from Kogi Central stormed the APC national secretariat demanding the cancellation of the senatorial primary allegedly won by former governor Yahaya Bello.

The protesters insisted Bello was never validly cleared for the contest.

More cracks emerge nationwide

In Cross River, aspirants claimed no primary election was held despite results circulating online.

In Kaduna, former Speaker Yusuf Zailani rejected the senatorial primary, insisting voting never took place in several local government areas.

Former senator Ayo Arise also disputed the Ekiti North result, accusing party officials of fabricating figures after he lost to incumbent Senator Cyril Fasuyi.

Despite the turbulence, a few APC heavyweights emerged stronger.

Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq secured the Kwara Central senatorial ticket unopposed, while Senators David Jimkuta and Haruna Manu retained their tickets in Taraba State.

With petitions piling up and appeals already flooding the party secretariat, the APC now faces growing pressure to contain internal divisions before the battle for 2027 fully begins.