By Our Correspondent

ABUJA — The political battle for the 2027 general elections has claimed its first major casualties in the House of Representatives, with no fewer than 98 serving lawmakers reportedly set to leave the Green Chamber after failing to secure return tickets or opting to contest for other elective positions.

According to a state-by-state analysis reported by The Nation, about 262 serving members of the House of Representatives secured tickets to contest the 2027 elections, either under their existing political parties or after moving to new platforms.

The development means a significant number of the lawmakers currently occupying seats in the 360-member chamber will not be returning after the 2027 elections.

Among the prominent lawmakers reportedly heading for the exit are several principal officers of the House.

They include House Leader Julius Ihonvbere of the All Progressives Congress (APC), representing Edo State; Deputy Chief Whip Isiaka Ayokunle Isiaka of the APC, Ogun State; Minority Leader Fred Agbedi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bayelsa State; and Deputy Minority Whip Manu Soro of the PDP, Bauchi State.

Also listed among those leaving is Deputy Minority Leader Abdulsamad Dasuki of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Sokoto State, as well as Deputy Minority Whip George Ozodinobi of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Anambra State.

However, not all members of the House’s leadership suffered the same fate.

The Chief Whip, Usman Bello Kumo, and Deputy House Leader, Abdullahi Ali, reportedly secured tickets to return to the chamber after the 2027 elections.

The analysis also indicates that some lawmakers did not seek re-election at all. Soro and Dasuki, for instance, reportedly did not participate in their respective party primaries.

Kano Leads Returnees

The figures reveal considerable differences across the states.

Kano State recorded the highest number of serving lawmakers securing return tickets, with 23 of its 24 representatives reportedly set to contest again.

Lagos followed, with 15 of its 24 serving representatives securing tickets, while Kaduna recorded 15 returnees from its 16 current members.

The political realignment has also seen some lawmakers who defected from their original political parties secure tickets on the platforms of their new parties, particularly in Kano and Rivers states.

The development comes as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 National Assembly elections. INEC has published candidate lists for the elections, with reports putting the total number of House of Representatives candidates at more than 3,200 across the country.

PDP Fields Female Candidates

Meanwhile, the PDP is reportedly fielding 21 female candidates for House of Representatives seats and seven candidates for the Senate in the 2027 elections.

Among the female House candidates listed are Esther Umoh Robson in Akwa Ibom; Chidinma Ngozi Okeke, Ogochukwu Evangeline Okoli, Jennifer Okafor, Helen Uju Onuora and Chiamaka Modester Chita in Anambra; Maryam Bagel Garba in Bauchi; Peace Eyo Edom in Cross River; Blessing Chinazam in Ebonyi; Jemitola Elizabeth in Edo; Peace Adanma Nwadike and Ndidi Olachi Ulumna Iheme in Imo; and several others across the country.

The party’s listed senatorial candidates include Chinenye Edith Oliata, Eunice Edith Ortom, Maria Ude Nwachi, Monica Adesola Fatuyi Olajuyigbe, Olabisi Ayenioye, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Iyabo Obasanjo.

Other political parties are also fielding candidates for the National Assembly elections, reflecting the increasingly competitive nature of the 2027 contest.

With candidate lists now published and campaigns underway, attention is turning to the constituencies where sitting lawmakers will defend their seats — and those where voters will be choosing entirely new representatives.

For the 98 serving lawmakers reportedly without return tickets, however, the countdown to the end of their tenure has already begun.