The All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primaries across the country turned into a fierce political battle Monday, producing dramatic victories, shocking defeats, consensus arrangements, protests and allegations of manipulation as the ruling party began shaping its 2027 electoral map.
While several influential figures in the National Assembly secured return tickets with ease, others suffered humiliating losses in contests that exposed deep cracks within the party structure in many states.
Among the biggest winners were Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma; former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin; former Edo governor, Adams Oshiomhole; Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele; and former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume.
But the exercise also produced notable casualties, including Senator Ned Nwoko, former Gombe State governor Muhammad Danjuma Goje, former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege and several serving lawmakers who either lost out or rejected the outcome of the primaries.
44 Aspirants Barred From Contest
The APC also stirred controversy after disqualifying no fewer than 44 senatorial aspirants nationwide from participating in the exercise.
Among those barred were Rivers politician Tein Jack-Rich, Senator Ipalibo Banigo and former Rivers Head of Service, Tammy Danagogo.
The party, however, reinstated former Bayelsa East senator, Ben Murray-Bruce, after initially placing him on the disqualified list.
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An updated document released by APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, showed that Rivers recorded one of the highest numbers of disqualified aspirants, while Zamfara emerged as the state with the largest bloc of barred contenders.
Those removed from the original disqualification list included Murray-Bruce, Anambra North aspirant Chimzobam Kingsley Nnalue and Plateau North aspirant Gyang Yaya Zi San.
Bello Floors Opponents in Kogi
Former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, secured a sweeping victory in Kogi Central, polling 72,399 votes across the five local government areas of the district.
However, the situation in Kogi East turned chaotic after Senator Jibrin Isah rejected the outcome of the primary following the loss of his return ticket.
Isah accused allies of Governor Ahmed Ododo of hijacking election materials and frustrating his supporters.
“The battle line has been drawn,” he declared, while vowing to challenge Ododo in the governorship race.
Delta Produces One of the Biggest Upsets
Delta State witnessed one of the biggest political upsets of the exercise as Senator Ede Dafinone defeated Omo-Agege in Delta Central.
According to results announced by the APC National Assembly Primary Committee, Dafinone polled 116,252 votes against Omo-Agege’s 3,643 votes.
Omo-Agege, however, rejected the result and insisted that he won the contest.
In Delta North, Okowa recorded a crushing defeat against Ned Nwoko, polling 113,309 votes against Nwoko’s 2,612 votes, while Mariam Ali secured 40 votes.
Returning officer Eugene Odo declared Okowa the winner after satisfying all party requirements and polling the highest number of valid votes.
In Delta South, incumbent Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas was reportedly leading in six of the eight local government areas at the time results were being compiled.
Reacting to his victory, Dafinone praised the conduct of the exercise and thanked voters in Delta Central for renewing their confidence in him.
Oshiomhole, Ikpea Cruise Through in Edo
In Edo State, Oshiomhole and Senator Joe Ikpea emerged unopposed in Edo North and Edo Central, respectively.
But Edo South produced one of the fiercest and most controversial contests of the primaries.
Former House of Representatives member, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, was officially declared the winner after polling 27,154 votes.
Senator Neda Imasuen scored 13,580 votes, while Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu polled 6,785 votes.
The results were announced by APC National Assembly Primary Election Chairman, Muhammed Ajana, at Urokpota Hall in Benin.
However, confusion later erupted after another set of results surfaced declaring Ize-Iyamu winner of the exercise.
Imasuen condemned the primary, describing it as a manipulated process designed to favour a preferred aspirant.
He alleged that ward leaders openly informed him before the election that the party had already adopted Ogbeide-Ihama as consensus candidate.
“There is nothing satisfactory about this sham of election,” he said.
Abiodun, AbdulRazaq Dominate Battles
In Ogun East, Governor Abiodun prevailed after supporters of incumbent senator Gbenga Daniel withdrew from the race over alleged security threats.
In Kwara Central, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq engaged Senator Saliu Mustapha in a fierce battle that split party stakeholders across the district.
At several wards in Ilorin East and Ilorin West, supporters trooped out massively for AbdulRazaq, while some wards reportedly returned zero votes for Mustapha.
Former House of Representatives member Abdulganiyu Cook Olododo described the contest as a reflection of the popularity of the APC government in Kwara and at the national level.
Goje Falls in Gombe
One of the biggest shocks came from Gombe Central, where former governor Goje lost his bid for a fifth term in the Senate.
Retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Ahmed, backed by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s camp, defeated Goje by a wide margin.
Returning officer Dr. Habu Dahiru announced that Ahmed polled 42,785 votes against Goje’s 10,425 votes.
Consensus Sweeps Through Several States
Consensus arrangements dominated the primaries in Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and parts of Niger State.
In Sokoto, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, Senator Ibrahim Abdullahi Danbaba and Umaru Ajiya all secured return tickets through affirmation.
In Kebbi, Senator Muhammadu Adamu Aliero was affirmed as the sole candidate for Kebbi Central after Kabir Sani Giant withdrew from the race.
In Zamfara, all serving APC senators and House of Representatives members were returned through consensus.
Those affirmed included Senators Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar, Sahabi Ya’u Kaura and Ikra Aliyu Bilbis.
Niger State also adopted consensus for Niger East and Niger North, allowing former governor Abubakar Sani Bello and Senator Sani Musa to retain their tickets.
Barau, Bamidele, Ndume Return Unchallenged
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin emerged unopposed as the APC candidate for Kano North during an affirmation exercise held in Bichi Local Government Area.
In Ekiti Central, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele secured his third-term ticket unopposed.
Meanwhile, Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu expressed confidence ahead of his battle against Senator Biodun Olujimi and Hon. Bamidele Faparusi in Ekiti South.
Ndume also emerged consensus candidate for Borno South after his main challenger, Abdullahi Askira, withdrew from the race.
Cross River Senators Retain Seats
In Cross River, all three serving senators secured return tickets through affirmation.
They include Senators Asuquo Ekpenyong, Eteng Williams and Jarigbe Agom.
The victories followed the disqualification of several challengers, including Oden Ewa and Daniel Asuquo.
In the North, former governor Ben Ayade reportedly stepped down after intervention from President Bola Tinubu.
Banigo Rejects Disqualification
Senator Ipalibo Banigo strongly condemned her disqualification from the Rivers West contest, accusing the APC screening committee of unfairness.
She argued that women in politics were being unfairly treated at a time when the country was advocating greater female representation.
“We have only four women in the 10th Senate. This is a time we should encourage more women to participate,” she said.
Banigo urged the party leadership to demonstrate fairness, equity and gender sensitivity.
Meanwhile, APC figures loyal to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, including Prince Felix Obua, Senator Allwell Onyesoh, Barry Mwara and Osarosaka Ebenezer, were expected to scale through the screening process without difficulty.
APC Insists Primaries Were Peaceful
Despite protests and allegations of manipulation in several states, APC leaders described the primaries as peaceful, transparent and a reflection of growing unity within the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Source: Vanguard
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.