Benjamin Kalu Secures Unopposed APC Nomination for House of Representatives

Benjamin Kalu, the current Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, has successfully secured the All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination to contest his seat, having emerged as the party's sole candidate without any opposition. This significant political development was confirmed on Thursday, 16 May 2026, amidst a nationwide flurry of party primaries in preparation for the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

The absence of challengers in Kalu's primary contest in his constituency underscores a notable level of consensus or strong party backing. His unopposed victory stands out against a backdrop of varied outcomes from other party nominations across the country. For instance, former President Buhari's son, Yusuf, similarly clinched an APC House of Representatives ticket in Katsina, securing a substantial number of votes, while Speaker Tajudeen Abbas also secured his fifth-term nomination for the Zaria Federal Constituency unopposed. These instances suggest a pattern of established figures consolidating their positions within the ruling party.

However, the broader landscape of the primaries has also revealed considerable internal competition and challenges. While some candidates, such as Leke Abejide in Kogi State, achieved landslide victories across all wards, other nominations were reportedly marred by conflict. Reports from Lagos indicated arrests following violence at certain APC primaries, and prominent political figures Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso issued warnings against practices like vote-buying and greed within the National Democratic Congress. Such contrasting scenarios underscore the complex and often contentious nature of Nigeria's pre-election political processes, highlighting the distinctiveness of Kalu's uncontested path to the general election ballot.