The ongoing All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections ahead of the 2027 general elections have triggered a massive shakeup in the National Assembly.
Indications show that at least 70 current federal lawmakers will not be returning to their seats, including the famous ex-Labour Party "Okada rider" lawmaker, Donatus Mathew.
Mathew, who currently represents Kaura Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, made national headlines in 2023 when he transitioned from being a commercial motorcycle rider to winning a seat in the House of Representatives under the Labour Party.
Backed by the massive "Obi wave," he pulled off a historic upset by defeating a four-term incumbent.
However, Mathew’s political fortunes took a sharp turn after he defected from the Labour Party to the APC in December 2024, citing internal crises within his former party.
The defection triggered severe backlash from his grassroots support base, who felt he betrayed the movement that brought him to power.
That decision caught up with him during the APC primaries, where he faced entrenched party structures. Mathew suffered a crushing defeat, polling only 255 votes against his rival’s 1,085 votes, officially ending his 2027 re-election bid.
Mathew is not the only defector facing this reality. Other former Labour Party lawmakers who moved to the APC only to lose their re-election tickets include Esosa Iyawe, Senator Neda Imasuen, Tochukwu Okere, Bassey Akiba, and Daulyop Fom.
High-profile APC senators like Gbenga Daniel, Ned Nwoko, and Saliu Mustapha are also among those who will not be returning to the Red Chamber following losses, withdrawals, or decisions to step down.
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