Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The All Progressives Congress senatorial primaries across several states produced a wave of dramatic outcomes on Monday, with former governors, serving senators and powerful party figures battling for tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Among the biggest developments were the victories recorded by former Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma; and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, while political heavyweights including former governors Ibikunle Amosun, Gbenga Daniel and Rochas Okorocha lost out or stayed away from the contests.
In Delta North, Okowa defeated incumbent Senator Ned Nwoko in a landslide victory after polling 113,039 votes against Nwoko’s 2,612 votes, while Miriam Ali secured 40 votes.
The former governor dominated voting across the nine local government areas of the district, consolidating what party officials described as one of the clearest victories recorded during the exercise.
In Delta Central, Senator Ede Dafinone defeated former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, polling 116,252 votes against Omo-Agege’s 3,643 votes in a contest party officials said was peaceful but highly competitive.
Despite the official declaration, Omo-Agege rejected the outcome and insisted he won the primary across all 85 wards in the district.
In Imo West, Governor Hope Uzodimma emerged victorious over former governor Rochas Okorocha, further tightening his grip on the APC structure in the state.
Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello also staged a strong political comeback after winning the APC senatorial ticket for Kogi Central with 72,399 votes, defeating Ibrahim Yakubu Adoje and Momoh Obaro.
In Ogun State, confusion and withdrawals shaped the primaries as former governors Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun stayed away from the exercise amid reported disagreements over consensus arrangements.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, however, described the process as peaceful and orderly, dismissing claims of violence and insisting the exercise reflected internal democracy.
Several top APC figures emerged through consensus arrangements, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio in Akwa Ibom North West, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele in Ekiti Central, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Senator Ali Ndume and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin in Kano North.
In Ekiti State, all three incumbent senators secured return tickets, with Senator Yemi Adaramodu defeating former senator Biodun Olujimi in Ekiti South, while Senator Cyril Fasuyi won the Ekiti North ticket.
The exercise also witnessed controversy in Edo South, where rival camps announced different winners after Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama was officially declared winner ahead of Senator Neda Imasuen and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
Imasuen rejected the process, describing it as manipulated.
Tension was also recorded in Ebonyi Central after suspected loyalists of Senator Kenneth Eze allegedly attacked journalists and members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists during the collation process in Onueke.
Meanwhile, serving Rivers West Senator, Ipalibo Banigo-Harry, protested her disqualification from the APC primaries, describing the decision as unfair and discriminatory against women in politics.
Across Lagos State, the APC returned all three serving senators ; Tokunbo Abiru, Wasiu Eshilokun-Sanni and Idiat Adebule through consensus arrangements.
