APC PRIMARIES: Govs, anointed candidates sweep tickets

By Clifford Ndujihe, Egufe Yafughorhi, Demola Akinyemi, Omeiza Ajayi, Ndahi Marama, Adeola Badru, Ochuko Akuopha, Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo, James Ogunnaike, Musa Ubandawaki, Femi Bolaji, Haruna Aliyu, Davies Iheamnachor, Muhammad Husaini Kwalam, Christopher Ameh

MOST first-term governors of the All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday secured return tickets for the 2027 governorship elections, while several outgoing governors successfully delivered their preferred successors in consensus-driven primaries across the country..

The exercises, however, recorded pockets of tension in Oyo, Kwara, Bauchi and Taraba states.

Governors who clinched tickets unopposed included Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Umaru Bago (Niger), Dikko Radda (Katsina), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Ahmad Aliyu (Sokoto), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Umo Eno(Akwa Ibom), and Umar Namadi (Jigawa).

Also emerging as candidates through consensus arrangements backed by party leaders were Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Senator Olamilekan Adeola in Ogun; Kingsley Chinda in Rivers; and Mustapha Gubio in Borno.

In Rivers, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Tonye Cole and Dakorinama George-Kelly withdrew from the race, paving the way for Chinda’s emergence as sole aspirant.

But in Taraba, Governor Agbu Kefas faced a tough challenge from former Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, who insisted the process must be transparent and credible.

The APC national headquarters also halted the Kwara governorship primary midway and replaced the electoral committee without giving reasons. The exercise was rescheduled for today.

In Oyo, former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, rejected the process, alleging intimidation, manipulation and falsification of results in parts of the state.

Similarly, APC stakeholders in Bauchi protested alleged moves to impose a governorship candidate, insisting on a transparent contest.

Party postpones gov primaries in Bauchi, Kwara, Zamfara

Meanwhile, the APC has postponed its governorship primaries in Bauchi and Kwara States to Friday, May 22, 2026.

Similarly, the party has approved the rescheduling of the State House of Assembly Primary Elections for Maradun I and Maradun II Constituencies in Zamfara State to Sunday, May 24, 2026″, said party spokesman, Felix Morka in a tweet on Thursday night in Abuja.

“The decision was approved by the National Working Committee NWC following consultations with relevant stakeholders and in furtherance of the Party’s commitment to ensuring transparent, orderly, peaceful, and credible primary election process”, he said.

APC members frown against imposition in Bauchi

Members of the party in Bauchi State decried alleged moves to impose a governorship candidate insisting on a transparent, credible and competitive process.

The party stakeholders made their position known, yesterday, during a visit to the hotel where the APC electoral committee was reportedly lodged, seeking clarification on the conduct and postponement of the exercise.

Musa Buba Mohammed, an APC stakeholder popularly known as “Civilian General,” said members would not accept any attempt by a few individuals to impose a candidate on the party.

APC national hqrts postpones Kwara primary midway

In Kwara State, the primaries were ongoing peacefully across the 193 wards of the 16 local governments when it was suddenly aborted and postponed till Friday, the APC.

State Chairman of the party, Prince Sunday Fagbemi ,who confirmed the development in an interview with Vanguard also said that the team for the primary has been changed and are already in ilorin.

‘’The exercise has been postponed till tomorrow (Friday).The team of those who will conduct the exercise has arrived in Ilorin and will address the aspirants later in the day,’’ he said.

Earlier in the day, Vanguard reliably gathered that eight aspirants had thrown their weight behind Ambassador Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki, being backed by AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

Adelabu alleges massive fraud in Oyo

In Oyo, former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, alleged widespread manipulation, voter intimidation and electoral fraud during the primaries, warning that attempts to impose a preferred candidate could plunge the party into crisis ahead of the 2027 elections.

Adelabu, who spoke to journalists shortly after casting his vote at Ward 9 in Ibadan South-East Local Government Area, said the exercise in his own ward was peaceful, transparent and reflected the genuine will of party members.

According to him, he secured an overwhelming victory in the area, with more than 430 votes from about 437 registered APC members.

Despite expressing satisfaction with proceedings in his ward, Adelabu claimed disturbing reports had emerged from several other parts of the state, alleging that the primary election was compromised by acts of intimidation, violence and outright falsification of results.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the House of Assembly and Governorship Primary Election Committee in Oyo State, Taofeek Abdulsalam, dismissed concerns over the conduct of the election, insisting that the exercise had remained largely peaceful and orderly across the state.

Abdulsalam said members of the committee monitored activities in different locations and were satisfied with the behaviour of party members during the primary.

Fubara, Cole, George-Kelly’s withdrawal made process, easier peaceful — Chinda

In Rivers, the sole governorship aspirant Kingsley Chinda, said the exercise was peaceful and easier following the withdrawal of the other three aspirants from the race.

It would be recalled that the incumbent governor of the state, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Tonye Cole and Alabo Dakorinama George-Kelly had on the eve of the primaries withdrew from the contest.

The Chairman of the State Governorship Primary, Kwamoti Bitrus, said Chinda polled 268,497 votes as a sole candidate of the party.

APC declares Bago unopposed in Niger

Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago emerged as the unopposed governorship candidate of the APC in Niger.

The declaration was made on Thursday at the APC state secretariat in Minna during the party’s governorship primary election. The chairman of the APC electoral committee and returning officer, Danlami Abubakar, announced Bago as the party’s sole candidate after the adoption process.

According to Abubakar, the governor satisfied all requirements for the nomination and enjoyed overwhelming support from party members across the state.

The motion adopting Bago as the unopposed candidate was moved by Sen. Mohammed Sani Musa of Niger East Senatorial District.

Musa said the governor had demonstrated commitment to development, party unity and inclusive governance since assuming office.

In Lagos, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu backed Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as APC governorship candidate, expressing confidence that he would consolidate on the achievements of the administration.

Hamzat, who emerged through the direct primary, described democracy as “a competition of ideas, not war,” pledging to continue developmental programmes in Lagos.

In Ogun State, Governor Dapo Abiodun said consensus arrangements adopted by the party had strengthened unity and reduced internal crisis.

The process produced Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly called Yayi, as APC governorship candidate for the state.

Abiodun said extensive consultations were held with aspirants and stakeholders to ensure inclusiveness and avoid bitterness.

In Delta, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori emerged an APC candidate after polling 345,375 votes in the direct primary conducted across the state’s 25 local government areas.

Oborevwori commended party members for peaceful conduct and called for unity ahead of the general election.

In Niger State, Governor Umaru Bago was affirmed as APC candidate after stakeholders adopted him unopposed.

The governor promised inclusive governance and announced plans to reconcile aggrieved party members after the primaries.

Similarly, Kebbi Governor Nasir Idris secured unanimous endorsement from APC members across the state’s 225 wards.

Idris pledged to deepen developmental projects and run an inclusive administration if re-elected.

In Sokoto, APC members from the 244 wards of the state unanimously affirmed Governor Ahmad Aliyu as the party’s governorship candidate for 2027.

Aliyu described the endorsement as a vote of confidence in his administration and pledged to intensify development projects.

Kaduna Governor Uba Sani also secured overwhelming affirmation votes to emerge APC candidate.

Sani said his administration would consolidate on gains recorded in security, infrastructure and rural development.

In Jigawa, delegates from the 287 wards affirmed Governor Umar Namadi as sole candidate.

Namadi described the consensus arrangement as one of the most successful in the country.

Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal equally emerged as a consensus candidate after affirmation by party delegates in Gusau.

In Katsina, APC delegates unanimously endorsed Governor Dikko Radda as candidate for the 2027 election.

Former Governor Aminu Masari urged aggrieved aspirants to support Radda and work for party unity.

In Borno, Mustapha Gubio emerged APC governorship candidate after a consensus arrangement backed by Governor Babagana Zulum and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Zulum praised President Bola Tinubu and Shettima for fostering unity in the party, while Gubio pledged to consolidate on the administration’s achievements in security, education and infrastructure.

The primaries also witnessed withdrawals and strategic alliances in some states.

In Adamawa, three aspirants — Diaulhaq Abubakar, Mustapha Salihu and Ibrahim Bello Thul — stepped down for Ahmed Galadima Aminu ahead of today’s primary.

The aspirants said their decision was aimed at strengthening party unity and improving APC’s chances in the state.

Despite pockets of discontent, APC leaders in several states described the primaries as peaceful, transparent and reflective of internal democracy. They pledged reconciliation and inclusiveness ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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