Nasarawa State’s political landscape shifted dramatically on Saturday, May 16, 2026, as Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Danladi Jatau, and two sitting members of the House of Representatives, Jeremiah Umaru and Abdul-Mumin Muhammad, were defeated in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections. The primaries, held across several federal constituencies in the state, saw strong competition and significant voter turnout, despite logistical and security challenges that delayed the process in some areas.
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Primary Election Committee, Musa Shuaibu Guri, announced the results on Sunday night, confirming that the exercise faced delays in certain regions due to security concerns and logistical bottlenecks. Despite these setbacks, the elections proceeded in most areas, delivering clear outcomes that reshaped the state’s political dynamics.
In the Kokona/Keffi/Karu Federal Constituency, Jatau, who has been a prominent figure in state politics, was defeated by Daniel Ogazi, a fellow member of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly. Ogazi secured 13,083 votes, while Jatau garnered 5,873 votes. Other candidates in the race received significantly fewer votes, making Ogazi the clear winner.
In the Wamba/Akwanga/Nasarawa Eggon Federal Constituency, incumbent Rep. Jeremiah Umaru was ousted by Tony Shammah, who won with an overwhelming 38,333 votes. Umaru managed only 4,061 votes, marking a decisive defeat for the sitting lawmaker.
Similarly, in the Nasarawa/Toto Federal Constituency, Abdul-Mumin Muhammad lost to Mohammed Al-Bashir Yerima, who polled 31,796 votes compared to Muhammad’s 9,039. The result signaled a major shift in voter preference within the constituency.
In contrast, Muhammed Ahmed Al-Makura emerged unopposed in the Lafia/Obi Federal Constituency after other aspirants withdrew from the race. He secured 4,500 votes through affirmation, a process used when no opponent remains.
As of the time of reporting, the primary election for the Awe/Doma/Keana Federal Constituency had not been concluded, as it did not hold on the scheduled date. The delay raises questions about the timeline for the next phase of the electoral process.
These outcomes reflect a changing political tide in Nasarawa State, with new faces emerging and incumbents being replaced. The results are expected to influence the state’s representation in the federal legislature and could have broader implications for the APC’s strategy in the upcoming general elections.
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