Hamzat wins Lagos ticket; Chinda emerges in Rivers; Yusuf, Radda, Aliyu, Bago secure affirmation
The All Progressives Congress (APC) tightened its hold on key states on Thursday as incumbent governors secured governorship tickets in several states, while candidates backed by influential party leaders emerged victorious in others ahead of the 2027 general election.
Most of the party’s governorship primaries were decided through consensus arrangements, affirmation exercises and withdrawals by rival aspirants, with APC leaders describing the process as peaceful, transparent and a reflection of internal unity.
Governors seeking second terms comfortably secured tickets in Delta, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto and Niger states, while aspirants supported by dominant party structures emerged in Lagos, Rivers, Ogun, Borno and Oyo states.
Despite isolated complaints in a few states, the outcome of the primaries reinforced the APC’s message of continuity and readiness for the 2027 elections.
APC Postpones Primaries in Bauchi, Kwara
The party, however, postponed its governorship primaries in Bauchi and Kwara states until Friday, while the State House of Assembly primaries for Maradun I and Maradun II constituencies in Zamfara State were shifted to May 24.
In a statement, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka said the National Working Committee approved the rescheduling after consultations with stakeholders.
According to him, the decision was aimed at ensuring transparent, orderly and credible primaries, although no specific reasons were given for the postponements.
Hamzat Clinches Lagos APC Ticket
In Lagos State, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat emerged as the APC governorship candidate after defeating Lanre Jim-Kamal in the party’s direct primary election.
The exercise, conducted across the state, was described by party leaders as peaceful and transparent.
Hamzat thanked party members for their orderly conduct and participation, saying the primary demonstrated the APC’s commitment to internal democracy.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who backed Hamzat’s candidature, said the direct primary allowed grassroots members to freely choose their preferred aspirant.
Hamzat’s emergence had been widely anticipated following endorsements from key party blocs, including the influential Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC).
Chinda Takes Rivers Ticket Unopposed
Former House of Representatives Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda emerged as the APC governorship candidate in Rivers State after receiving affirmation votes from across the 23 local government areas.
Chairman of the APC Governorship Primary Election Committee, Bitrus Kwamoti, announced that Chinda secured 268,497 votes as the sole aspirant in the contest.
His emergence followed the withdrawal of several aspirants, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, businessman Tonye Cole and former Works Commissioner Dax George-Kelly.
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Kano APC Affirms Yusuf
In Kano State, party members endorsed Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf as the APC’s sole consensus governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
The affirmation took place during a congress at the Sani Abacha Stadium, where party supporters and stakeholders pledged support for the governor’s second-term bid.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who moved the motion for Yusuf’s adoption, praised the governor’s leadership and developmental programmes, saying they had strengthened public confidence in the party.
Uba Sani Secures Kaduna Ticket
Governor Uba Sani won the APC governorship ticket in Kaduna State after polling 459,393 affirmation votes.
The governor, who contested unopposed, received endorsements from delegates and party leaders from the state’s 23 local government areas.
The exercise, monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), attracted top APC leaders, elected officials and supporters.
Party stakeholders described the outcome as a strong endorsement of Sani’s leadership and performance in office.
Alli Sweeps Oyo Governorship Primary
In Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli emerged as the APC governorship candidate after defeating 10 other aspirants in the party’s direct primary election.
Alli recorded victories across virtually all parts of the state, winning 350 of the 351 wards contested.
The APC described the primary as peaceful and rancour-free, saying the outcome demonstrated the party’s readiness to contest for power in the state in 2027.
Mixed Reactions in Northern States
While most governorship primaries proceeded without incident, some APC members in Bauchi expressed concern over the postponement of the governorship contest.
Aggrieved members called for transparency and fairness, warning against attempts to impose candidates through consensus arrangements.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Musa Buba Mohammed questioned why the governorship primary had not been conducted despite the successful completion of the National Assembly and State Assembly primaries.
In contrast, the governorship primary in Taraba State was conducted peacefully, with Governor Agbu Kefas and former Minister of Transportation Mu’azu Jaji Sambo participating in the contest.
Kefas praised party members, election officials and security agencies for ensuring a smooth and orderly process.
Yayi Emerges Ogun APC Candidate
Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, secured the APC governorship ticket in Ogun State after a peaceful primary election conducted across the 20 local government areas.
Governor Dapo Abiodun disclosed that more than 700 aspirants initially expressed interest in various elective positions on the APC platform ahead of the elections.
At his ward in Iperu, Adeola polled 829 votes out of 832 accredited voters to confirm his status as the party’s candidate.
Oborevwori Gets Delta APC Ticket
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori emerged as the APC governorship candidate after securing 345,375 affirmation votes during the party’s direct primary election.
The governor, who was the sole aspirant, described the exercise as transparent and peaceful and said the party remained united ahead of the election.
Returning Officer Victor Abba announced the result at the APC secretariat in Asaba, officially declaring Oborevwori the winner of the primary.
Gubio Emerges in Borno
Mustapha Gubio was affirmed as the APC governorship candidate in Borno State after earlier emerging as the consensus choice of party stakeholders.
The affirmation exercise was conducted in Maiduguri under the supervision of APC primary committee chairman Emma Eneukwu.
Governor Babagana Zulum praised President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for supporting efforts that ensured a peaceful primary process.
Gubio pledged to build on the achievements of the current administration, particularly in education, agriculture, empowerment programmes and post-insurgency reconstruction.
Mbah Heads for APC Ticket in Enugu
Governor Peter Mbah has emerged as the governorship candidate of the APC in Enugu State after party members across the state’s 260 wards overwhelmingly endorsed his candidature.
The Enugu State APC Governorship Primary Election Committee, led by Danmalikin Hausa, announced this on Friday in Enugu. Hausa, who declared Mbah winner of the primary, disclosed that 397,370 accredited party faithful participated across the 260 wards in the exercise held on Thursday.
In his remarks, Mbah expressed his gratitude to the APC for affirming him as the sole candidate of the party in the state. He described the direct primary as a demonstration of internal democracy and urged party members to remain united ahead of the 2027 election.
Eight Aspirants Back Seriki in Kwara
In Kwara State, eight governorship aspirants stepped down in support of Ambassador Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki, who is widely regarded as the preferred successor to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
The endorsement followed consultations involving aspirants and party stakeholders, who agreed to work together in the interest of party unity and continuity.
Among those who backed Seriki were Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, Speaker Yakubu Danladi, Professor Wale Sulaiman and Hajia Aisha Patigi.
Radda, Aliyu and Bago Secure Consensus Tickets
Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda was unanimously adopted as the APC governorship candidate through an affirmation exercise attended by more than 1,000 delegates.
In Sokoto State, Governor Ahmed Aliyu was endorsed by delegates from the state’s 244 wards and 23 local government areas, with party leaders citing unity and consensus as reasons for the smooth process.
Similarly, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago emerged unopposed as the APC governorship candidate after delegates adopted him through a consensus arrangement at the party secretariat in Minna.
The governors thanked party members for the confidence reposed in them and pledged to continue implementing policies aimed at improving the welfare of residents and consolidating the party’s position ahead of the 2027 elections.
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.