The build-up to the 2027 general elections took a dramatic turn on Monday as the All Progressives Congress was plunged into a wave of internal realignments, high-profile defeats, and consensus manoeuvres during its senatorial primaries held across the country.
The exercise produced one of the most striking outcomes in recent party history, with several political heavyweights — including former governors and serving powerbrokers — losing out, while a new set of influential figures secured the party’s senatorial tickets amid a mix of contested primaries, consensus arrangements, and disputed clearances.
Former Ogun State governors Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East) and Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun Central) shunned the exercise while Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State triumphed over ex-Governor Rochas Okorocha in the Imo West senatorial primary on Monday.
In Delta, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa defeated incumbent Ned Nwoko in Delta North while Senator Ede Dafinone overcame ex-Senate Deputy President, Ovie Omo-Agege in a tense poll in Delta Central.
Bigwigs like Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Senate Leader Bamidele Opeyemi, Senator Ali Ndume, and Senator Adams Oshiomhole emerged as consensus aspirants in their various states.
Yahaya Bello wins
Former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello staged a major political comeback after emerging winner of the APC senatorial primary for Kogi Central with a landslide victory.
Bello polled 72,399 votes to defeat Ibrahim Yakubu Adoje and Momoh Obaro.
In Kano North, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin also emerged through affirmation amid a massive show of support from party leaders and delegates.
Speaking after the exercise, Barau praised President Bola Tinubu and urged party supporters to remain loyal to the APC.
In Edo South, confusion trailed the APC primary after two separate victory claims emerged from rival camps.
Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama was officially declared winner by the APC collation committee after polling 27,154 votes ahead of Senator Neda Imasuen and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
However, another faction reportedly declared Ize-Iyamu winner of the contest.
Imasuen rejected the entire process, describing it as manipulated.
“There is nothing satisfactory about this sham of an election,” he said. “Some ward chairmen openly told me the party had already adopted a preferred aspirant.”
In Oyo, the party recorded what officials described as a largely peaceful and orderly conduct of its senatorial primaries across the three senatorial districts of the state.
In Ebonyi State, the three APC incumbent senators — Senator Anthony Ani (Ebonyi South), Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North), and Senator Kenneth Eze (Ebonyi Central) —were returned as the party’s candidates following what officials described as strict adherence to a consensus arrangement.
Their emergence came amid a relatively calm collation process in parts of the state.
However, tension erupted at the senatorial collation centre in Onueke, Ezza South Local Government Area, shortly after Senator Kenneth Eze was declared winner for Ebonyi Central by the electoral committee chairman, Senator Anthony Agbo.
The situation degenerated when journalists covering the exercise approached the senator for comments. Eyewitnesses said Eze became visibly agitated and accused some journalists of misrepresentation, refusing to grant interviews.
Attempts by the Ebonyi State NUJ Chairman, Samson Nwafor, to calm the situation reportedly failed, as suspected aides and loyalists of the senator allegedly attacked journalists and NUJ members at the venue, including Kizito Nwankwo.
The incident created panic at the collation centre, overshadowing what had earlier been described as a peaceful exercise.
In Ogun State, the APC senatorial primaries were marked by confusion over participation, high-profile withdrawals, and consensus arrangements across the three senatorial districts.
Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele, former Governors Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun were notably absent from the exercise in their respective senatorial districts, despite earlier indications of interest.
In Ogun West, reports indicated that only placards of Jimoh Ojugbele were displayed for voting, suggesting a consensus arrangement. A party source said all aspirants, including the deputy governor, stepped down for Ojugbele.
“It is about preserving party unity… everyone submitted to the party’s interest,” the source said.
Daniel’s media aide, Steve Oliyide, said the former governor stayed away from the primary for safety reasons, adding that the decision was to avoid violence.
“We don’t believe our ambition is worth the blood of anyone,” he said, noting that Daniel remained loyal to the party despite withdrawing from the contest.
On Amosun’s absence in Ogun Central, a party source alleged he was not carried along in the consensus arrangement, claiming the leadership had earlier adopted Senator Shuaib Salisu without broader consultation.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, however, described the exercise as peaceful and orderly across the state.
Speaking after voting in Ogun East, where he polled 810 votes out of 812 accredited members, Abiodun dismissed claims of violence and maintained that the process reflected genuine democracy.
He also said that Daniel scored zero votes across wards where results were declared, including Ward 9 (Ode Remo), Ward 10, and Ward 2 (Isara), where Abiodun polled 1,116, 714, and 532 votes respectively.
In Ogun Central, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu recorded a landslide victory over Senator Gbenga Obadara.
At Odeda’s Itesi Ward 2, Salisu polled 658 votes against Obadara’s 11. He also secured 715 votes in Arigbajo Ward 3, 701 in Itori Ward 4, 753 in Obada Ward 10, and 1,872 in Oke-Aro/Ibaragun Ward 7, while Obadara consistently polled single digits.
Party leader Alhaji Ganiyu Oladipupo described the exercise as “one of the most transparent in recent years,” noting that there was no intimidation or vote-buying.
In Ogun West, Hon. Jimoh Olusola Ojugbele emerged as the APC candidate amid what stakeholders described as a peaceful and orderly process.
In Ekiti State, all three incumbent senators secured return tickets for the APC ahead of 2027.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele emerged as the consensus candidate for Ekiti Central with 29,586 “yes” votes.
For Ekiti South, Senator Yemi Adaramodu defeated former senator Biodun Olujimi with 12,200 votes against 7,420.
In Ekiti North, Senator Cyril Fasuyi also secured the ticket with 14,179 votes, defeating Senator Ayo Arise, who polled 4,868 votes.
The results were announced by the APC Senatorial Election Committee Chairman for Ekiti State, Banjo Adedoyin, who described the exercise as peaceful and orderly.
The exercise, which was held simultaneously across Oyo South, Oyo Central and Oyo North, covered nine local government areas in Oyo South, 11 in Oyo Central, and 13 in Oyo North, with voting taking place in hundreds of wards across the state.
In several locations, particularly within the Oyo Federal Constituency comprising Atiba, Oyo East, Oyo West and Afijio Local Government Areas, party members turned out in large numbers as early as 7:00 a.m., queuing patiently at designated voting centres.
In Oyo Central Senatorial District, serving lawmaker Senator Yunus Akintunde was seen participating in the exercise alongside hundreds of supporters at Ward 10 in Oyo West Local Government Area, where voting proceeded peacefully.
Similar scenes were recorded in Oyo South and Oyo North, where party members queued in an orderly manner, with observers describing the atmosphere as controlled and largely harmonious.
Speaking earlier at the APC state secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, the Chairman of the APC National Assembly Primaries Elections Committee for Oyo State, Mojeed Alabi, described the exercise as transparent, compliant with party guidelines, and largely free of rancour.
Alabi, a former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, said the committee was mandated to supervise primaries across all wards in the 14 federal constituencies of Oyo State to ensure strict adherence to party procedures.
“The committee monitored the process across the various wards to ensure compliance with party guidelines and fairness to all aspirants,” he said. “Our duty is to superintend, collate results, ensure that due process is followed, and transmit our report to the national leadership of the party.”
While Oyo State recorded a largely peaceful exercise, a contrasting development emerged in Rivers State, where Senator Ipalibo Banigo-Harry, representing Rivers West Senatorial District, protested her disqualification from the APC senatorial primaries.
Banigo-Harry, a serving senator and former deputy governor of Rivers State, described her exclusion as “an injustice to women and experienced legislators,” insisting she remained qualified to contest.
Speaking in Obuama, Degema LGA, shortly after receiving supporters at her ward, she questioned the decision of the party’s screening committee.
“I am a serving senator. I deserve to be cleared. National politics is where you bring out your best so that you can also bring the best back to your state,” she said.
She urged party leaders to reconsider her case, appealing directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC leadership.
“I do not want anyone to be agitated. I believe our President is gender sensitive,” she said.
“He has consistently advocated that qualified women should be given a chance when they are qualified.”
Banigo-Harry argued that female representation in the Senate remained low and required deliberate inclusion.
In contrast to the tension in Rivers, Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District witnessed a smooth and celebratory affirmation process, where Senate President Godswill Akpabio emerged unopposed as the APC candidate.
Akpabio, who is the sole aspirant, participated in the affirmation exercise at his ward centre in Ukana, Essien Udim LGA, amid a carnival-like atmosphere.
Party members, who trooped out in large numbers, described him as a “tested leader,” citing his past roles as governor, senator, minister, and currently Senate President.
The Returning Officer, Gabriel Ekong, commended the turnout and orderly conduct of party members during the exercise.
In his remarks, Akpabio thanked party faithful for their continued confidence in him and pledged to intensify efforts toward effective representation.
“I am grateful for the trust you have reposed in me. I will continue to work for unity and development,” he said.
A similar pattern of decisive outcomes emerged in Delta Central Senatorial District, where incumbent Senator Ede Dafinone defeated former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, in a landslide APC primary.
According to official results, Dafinone polled 116,252 votes, while Omo-Agege scored 3,643 votes across the eight local government areas of the district.
The exercise, which was collated and announced by the APC National Assembly Primary Committee, was described by party stakeholders as peaceful and competitive.
The APC Chairman in Delta Central, Chief Paulinus Akpeki, described the process as peaceful and orderly, saying no violence was recorded.
Former Governor of Delta State and former Senator, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, clinched the APC ticket for Delta North Senatorial District after defeating incumbent Senator Ned Nwoko and Mrs. Miriam Ali in a decisive primary election.
Okowa recorded a landslide victory across all nine local government areas of the district.
Announcing the results at the APC State Secretariat in Asaba, the Returning Officer, Prof. Tonukari Johnbull, said Okowa polled a total of 113,039 votes, while Nwoko scored 2,612 votes and Ali recorded 40 votes.
“The results of this primary election will be forwarded to the National Working Committee of the APC through the Delta State leadership of the party,” he said.
Breaking down the results, Johnbull noted that Okowa dominated across all local government areas. In Aniocha North, he polled 5,480 votes against Nwoko’s 1,343 votes, while Ali recorded none.
However, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege declared himself victorious, citing “a decisive win across all 85 wards in the district’s 8 local government areas.”
In a statement he personally issued after Monday’s election, Senator Omo-Agege thanked party leaders, delegates, and members for what he described as “resolute support and historic turnout.”
He said collated results showed “long open secret balloting queues in my favour,” which he called evidence of an overwhelming mandate for his shared vision with the APC in Delta Central.
“Based on collated results from all 85 wards across our eight Local Government Areas, we have won decisively. Across the senatorial district, there were long open secret balloting queues in my favour, reflecting your overwhelming mandate and commitment to our shared vision for Delta Central and the APC.
“This outcome is a clear endorsement of our mission to strengthen the party and deliver stronger representation at the national level. I am humbled by the trust you have placed in me, and inspired by the unity, discipline, and order displayed at every ward voting centre.”
In Lagos State, the APC also returned all three serving senators, Tokunbo Abiru (Lagos East), Wasiu Eshilokun-Sanni (Lagos Central), and Idiat Adebule (Lagos West), through consensus arrangements.
Party officials said the affirmation reflected internal agreements aimed at strengthening cohesion and avoiding intra-party conflict ahead of the 2027 elections.
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State was declared the winner of the senatorial primary election for Imo West Senatorial District.
The declaration was made on Monday by the Chairman of the House of Representatives Primary Elections Committee for Imo State, Rear Admiral Kayode Williams (retd.), who also served as the Returning Officer for the exercise.
Announcing the result, Williams said Uzodimma polled a total of 230,464 votes to defeat former Governor Rochas Okorocha, who scored 1,098 votes in the contest.
Former Kaduna State Governor, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, emerged as the candidate for the Kaduna North Senatorial District.
Yero secured the ticket after defeating two other aspirants in a primary election held in Zaria on Monday, in a process that party officials described as peaceful and orderly.
Announcing the result, the Returning Officer, Hassan Saleh, declared that Yero polled a total of 6,060 votes to defeat his closest rival, Muhammad Mukaddas, who scored 1,044 votes, while Yusuf Ikara came third with 372 votes.
Speaking after his victory, Yero commended party members and stakeholders for what he described as a peaceful and transparent exercise, noting that the process reflected internal democracy within the APC.
“We must work together for the overall victory of our great party in the forthcoming general elections,” he said.
Yero also expressed appreciation to party leaders and supporters for their confidence in him, pledging to deliver effective representation if elected in 2027.
A former deputy governor, Yero served as Kaduna State governor between December 2012 and May 2015 following the death of Governor Patrick Yakowa in a helicopter crash in Bayelsa State. Prior to that, he had served as deputy governor from 2010 and commissioner for finance between 2007 and 2010.
44 aspirants disqualified
Before the primaries, 44 aspirants were disqualified by the APC screening committee, a development that immediately triggered protests, confusion and allegations of manipulation in several states.
The list, released by APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, showed that the affected aspirants were officially marked “Not Cleared” following the screening exercise conducted by the party.
Among the high-profile aspirants denied clearance was Oyo South hopeful, Mr. Kola Daisi, alongside several political heavyweights from Rivers, Zamfara, Kwara, Nasarawa, Plateau, Bayelsa, Cross River and other states.
The affected aspirants include Hamish Idris and Abdurman Kwacham from Adamawa North; Donald Daunemigita from Bayelsa West; Senator Benson Agadaga from Bayelsa East; Daniel Asuquo from Cross River South; and Oden Ewa from Cross River Central.
Others listed as “Not Cleared” include Dr. Marian Ogoh-Ali from Delta North; Senator Usman Wowo and Abubakar Abdullahi from the FCT; Adam Mohammed from Jigawa South/West; Senator Garba Mai Doki from Kebbi South; and Kollo Jiya from Kwara North.
The Oyo State chapter also recorded a wave of disqualifications involving Ademola Alli, Ajimobi Adegboyega, Faozey Nurudeen, Hameed Repete and Akinremi Bolaji.
Rivers State witnessed one of the heaviest casualties as prominent figures such as Chief Tamunobaabo Danagogo, Tein Jack-Rich, Ipalibo Banigo and Chief Barry Mwara were all denied clearance.
In the list released earlier, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce and four others were among 47 aspirants marked ‘Not cleared.’
However, an updated list was later released which reduced the number of affected aspirants from 47 to 44, with no explanation offered for the deletions, adding to the confusion which has clouded the exercise.
Morka stated, “The All Progressives Congress hereby releases an updated list of Senatorial aspirants not cleared to participate in the Party’s Senate Primary Elections. The APC urges all stakeholders to uphold transparency, orderliness, and the integrity of the ongoing Primary Election process.”
Murray-Bruce, who had represented Bayelsa East in the Senate, was among the most prominent names on the initial list released earlier the same day. His removal from the updated list, without any statement on his clearance status, was not explained by the party.
Also dropped from the list were Chimzobam Kingsley Nnalue (Anambra North), Gyang Yaya Zi San. (Plateau North), Napoleon Binkap Bah (Plateau South), and Usman Ephraim Gar (Plateau Central).
Two new names were added, Ibrahim Bala (Nasarawa West), listed as not cleared, and Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana (Nasarawa West), who was recorded as having voluntarily withdrawn.
The updated list also revised the status of some aspirants previously marked as “not cleared.”
Benson Agadaga (Bayelsa East) and Donald Daunemigita (Bayelsa West) were reclassified as voluntary withdrawals, while Garba Musa Mai Doki (Kebbi South) was listed as having defected, and Adam Mouktar Mohammed (Jigawa South/West) was recorded as having failed to appear for screening.
Despite mounting outrage from aspirants and supporters, the APC leadership has yet to officially explain the reasons behind the widespread non-clearance.
While some states descended into chaos, others quietly embraced consensus arrangements brokered by powerful party leaders and governors determined to avoid bruising contests.
In Borno State, the three incumbent APC senators, Ali Ndume, Mohammed Monguno and Kaka Shehu Lawan, all emerged unopposed after affirmation exercises conducted in Maiduguri.
Ndume’s emergence followed the withdrawal of his main challenger, Abdullahi Askira, after consultations with party elders and stakeholders.
Speaking after his affirmation, Ndume praised Askira for bowing to pressure from party leaders in the interest of unity.
“I want to thank our elders in Borno South Senatorial District for their unwavering support. I will continue to promote their interests at all times,” Ndume said.
“I must not fail to commend Honourable Askira who listened to persuasions and appeals of the party leaders and took the decision to drop his aspiration. Your loyalty to the party is exemplary.”
He further urged APC stakeholders to remain united and continue working together “as one political family” ahead of the general elections.
A similar consensus arrangement unfolded in Yobe State, where party stakeholders adopted Governor Mai Mala Buni for Yobe East, Senator Ibrahim Bomai for Yobe South and former Senate President Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan for Yobe North.
A party source familiar with the negotiations said the consensus arrangement was designed to preserve party unity.
“The leadership of the party and stakeholders across all the senatorial districts agreed that the best option was to adopt consensus candidates in order to avoid a divisive primary election,” the source said.
In Kebbi State, former governor Adamu Aliero also emerged through consensus after rival aspirants stepped down.
“The peaceful outcome of this primary election has shown that APC in Kebbi is united and focused on victory,” Aliero declared after his affirmation.
Governor Nasir Idris commended aspirants who withdrew from the race, saying their sacrifices helped preserve internal stability within the party.
AbdulRazaq-Mustapha showdown
Perhaps, nowhere was the drama more intense than in Kwara State, where what was initially projected as a smooth consensus arrangement suddenly spiralled into confusion after reports emerged that Senator Saliu Mustapha had secured clearance to contest against Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for the Kwara Central ticket.
The development stunned party stakeholders who had earlier believed the governor would emerge unopposed.
A statement by the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Communication Strategy, Ibraheem Akolu, initially insisted AbdulRazaq was the sole aspirant cleared for the race.
“The implication is that the primary election to be held today across the 52 wards in Asa, Ilorin East, Ilorin South and Ilorin West Local Government Areas is essentially to affirm the candidature of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq,” the statement read.
However, hours later, Akolu dramatically reversed himself after fresh communication allegedly emerged from the APC national leadership.
(Punch)
