The All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primaries held nationwide on Monday produced a mix of high-profile winners and losers, amid controversies over disqualifications, allegations of manipulation, consensus arrangements and protests from aggrieved aspirants.
The exercise saw the party disqualify no fewer than 44 senatorial aspirants from participating in the primaries, including prominent figures such as Rivers politician Tein Jack-Rich, Senator Ipalibo Banigo and former Rivers State Head of Service, Tammy Danagogo.
However, the APC reinstated former Bayelsa East senator Ben Murray-Bruce after his name initially appeared among aspirants barred from contesting.
An updated list released by APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka showed Rivers State recording one of the highest numbers of disqualified aspirants, while Zamfara emerged with the largest bloc of barred contestants.
Several influential political figures secured return tickets through either consensus arrangements or outright victories. Among them were Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Adams Oshiomhole, Ede Dafinone and Ali Ndume. Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and former Senate President Ahmad Lawan also emerged victorious.
Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello recorded a sweeping victory in Kogi Central, polling 72,399 votes across the district’s five local government areas to defeat his challengers.
However, tensions rose in Kogi East after Senator Jibrin Isah rejected the primary outcome following the loss of his return ticket. He accused allies of Governor Ahmed Ododo of hijacking election materials and frustrating his supporters.
Declaring his dissatisfaction, Isah stated that “the battle line has been drawn,” while vowing to challenge Governor Ododo in the future.
In Delta State, Senator Ede Dafinone defeated former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege in Delta Central, while former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa secured victory over incumbent Senator Ned Nwoko in Delta North.
Across several states, APC leaders maintained dominance. Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin emerged unopposed in Kano North, while Ali Ndume secured the Borno South ticket through consensus.
In Abia North, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu secured a massive victory with 65,651 votes, while Chief Erondu Uchenna Erondu clinched the APC ticket for Abia South.
Similarly, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele secured the Ekiti Central ticket unopposed as he prepares for a third-term bid.
Controversy also trailed the Edo South contest. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama defeated Senator Neda Imasuen and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu according to one result announcement. However, parallel results later surfaced declaring Ize-Iyamu winner, deepening confusion over the exercise.
In Ogun State, Governor Dapo Abiodun emerged victorious in Ogun East after supporters of his main challenger, Senator Gbenga Daniel, reportedly withdrew over alleged security concerns.
Kwara Central witnessed an intense contest between Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and incumbent Senator Saliu Mustapha, with stakeholders openly aligning with the governor. Reports indicated that while AbdulRazaq received overwhelming support in some wards, Mustapha allegedly recorded zero votes in others.
Meanwhile, the party adopted consensus arrangements in Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger and Zamfara states, leading to serving senators such as Aliyu Wamakko, Abdulaziz Yari, Sani Musa and Adamu Aliero securing return tickets.
In Cross River State, all three serving senators — Asuquo Ekpenyong, Eteng Williams and Jarigbe Agom — secured return tickets through affirmation exercises.
Despite complaints and disputes in some states, APC officials described the primaries as largely peaceful and reflective of the party’s internal unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
APC Revises List of Disqualified Aspirants
The APC reviewed its earlier list of 47 disqualified aspirants and removed the names of former Bayelsa East Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, Anambra North aspirant Chimzobam Kingsley Nnalue and Gyang Yaya Zi San from Plateau North.
The revised screening outcome followed assessments conducted by party committees in line with internal procedures and guidelines.
Rivers State recorded a significant number of disqualifications, with several aspirants from Rivers West Senatorial District failing to scale through the process. Those affected included Tein Jack-Rich, Tammy Danagogo, Oyukaye Amachree and Ipalibo Banigo.
Zamfara State recorded the highest number of barred aspirants, with seven individuals disqualified across its senatorial districts.
Banigo Rejects Disqualification
Former Rivers State Deputy Governor and serving senator Ipalibo Banigo strongly criticised her disqualification, describing it as unfair.
She argued that at a time when calls for greater female representation in politics continue to intensify, experienced women legislators should be encouraged rather than sidelined.
Banigo appealed to APC leaders to promote fairness and gender inclusiveness, noting that only four women currently serve in the 10th Senate.
Cross River Senators Retain Tickets
The three serving senators in Cross River State secured their return tickets after affirmation exercises.
Reports indicated that rival aspirants in the South and Central districts were disqualified, clearing the path for incumbents Asuquo Ekpenyong and Eteng Williams.
In the Northern district, former Governor Ben Ayade stepped down from the race following intervention from President Bola Tinubu, leaving Senator Jarigbe Agom without strong opposition.
Abia and Delta Outcomes
In Abia, former aide to ex-Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Chief Erondu Uchenna Erondu, emerged victorious after polling 16,640 votes.
Meanwhile, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu won convincingly in Abia North, defeating his only challenger Philip Nto.
In Delta North, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa polled 113,309 votes to defeat incumbent Senator Ned Nwoko, who secured 2,612 votes.
Senator Ede Dafinone also recorded a landslide victory in Delta Central, though Ovie Omo-Agege later disputed the outcome.
Consensus Dominates Several States
Consensus arrangements played a significant role across multiple states including Bayelsa, Sokoto, Zamfara, Niger and Kebbi.
In Sokoto, Senator Aliyu Wamakko and other National Assembly members secured re-election tickets through endorsement exercises.
Zamfara also returned all incumbent lawmakers through consensus, while Senator Muhammadu Adamu Aliero emerged sole candidate in Kebbi after his rival withdrew.
Former Senate Leader Ali Ndume also returned unopposed in Borno South after his main challenger withdrew.
Meanwhile, APC leaders expressed confidence that the primary process strengthened party unity and positioned the party for the 2027 elections despite lingering disputes in some states.
APC Senatorial Primaries Produce Big Winners, Losers Amid Protests, Disqualifications and Controversies
