By Zainab Bakare
The build-up to the 2027 general elections took a dramatic turn on Monday as the All Progressives Congress (APC) witnessed major political upsets, consensus deals, and fierce internal realignments during its senatorial primaries across the country.
The exercise produced shocking outcomes for several political heavyweights, with former governors Gbenga Daniel, Ibikunle Amosun, and Rochas Okorocha among the notable figures who lost out, while governors, incumbents, and party loyalists emerged victorious in tightly managed contests and consensus arrangements.
Uzodimma Defeats Rochas in Imo
One of the biggest political battles played out in Imo West Senatorial District, where Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma defeated former governor Rochas Okorocha by a wide margin.
Announcing the results, the Returning Officer for the exercise, Rear Admiral Kayode Williams (retd.), said Uzodimma polled 230,464 votes, while Okorocha secured 1,098 votes.
The victory further consolidates Uzodimma’s dominance within the APC structure in Imo State ahead of the 2027 elections.
Yahaya Bello Stages Political Comeback
Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello made a strong political return after clinching the APC senatorial ticket for Kogi Central.
Bello defeated Ibrahim Yakubu Adoje and Momoh Obaro with a landslide 72,399 votes, positioning himself for a return to national politics through the Senate.
Ogun Primaries Rocked by Withdrawals, Consensus
In Ogun State, the primaries were marked by confusion, withdrawals, and consensus arrangements.
Former governors Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun were absent from the exercise despite earlier indications of interest in the Ogun East and Ogun Central races respectively.
Daniel’s media aide, Steve Oliyide, said the former governor stayed away from the primary to avoid violence.
“We don’t believe our ambition is worth the blood of anyone,” he said.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, however, emerged dominant in Ogun East after polling 810 votes out of 812 accredited members.
Abiodun dismissed claims of violence and described the process as peaceful and democratic.
In Ogun Central, Senator Shuaib Salisu recorded a sweeping victory over Senator Gbenga Obadara, while Hon. Jimoh Ojugbele emerged as the APC candidate for Ogun West following a consensus arrangement.
Akpabio, Ndume, Oshiomhole Emerge Through Consensus
Several APC heavyweights emerged through affirmation and consensus processes in their states.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio was returned unopposed in Akwa Ibom North West amid what party members described as a carnival-like affirmation exercise.
Similarly, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele secured the Ekiti Central ticket through consensus with 29,586 “yes” votes.
In Borno State, Senators Ali Ndume, Mohammed Monguno, and Kaka Shehu Lawan also emerged unopposed after rival aspirants stepped down following consultations with party leaders.
Former Senate President Ahmad Lawan was equally adopted as the consensus candidate for Yobe North Senatorial District.
Delta Primaries Produce Major Upsets
Delta State witnessed some of the fiercest contests of the APC primaries.
Former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa defeated incumbent Senator Ned Nwoko to clinch the Delta North ticket, polling 113,039 votes against Nwoko’s 2,612 votes.
In Delta Central, incumbent Senator Ede Dafinone defeated former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege in a landslide victory.
Official results showed Dafinone scored 116,252 votes against Omo-Agege’s 3,643 votes.
However, Omo-Agege rejected the outcome and declared himself victorious, insisting results from all 85 wards favoured him.
Confusion in Edo South
The APC primary in Edo South ended in confusion after rival camps issued conflicting victory claims.
Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama was officially declared winner after polling 27,154 votes ahead of Senator Neda Imasuen and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
But another faction announced Ize-Iyamu as the winner, deepening tensions within the party.
Imasuen rejected the process entirely, describing it as manipulated.
“There is nothing satisfactory about this sham of an election,” he said.
Lagos, Ebonyi, Ekiti Retain Incumbents
In Lagos State, the APC retained all three incumbent senators through consensus arrangements.
Tokunbo Abiru (Lagos East), Wasiu Eshilokun-Sanni (Lagos Central), and Idiat Adebule (Lagos West) all secured return tickets.
In Ebonyi State, incumbent senators Anthony Ani, Onyekachi Nwebonyi, and Kenneth Eze also emerged as candidates under a consensus arrangement.
However, tension erupted at the Ebonyi Central collation centre after suspected loyalists allegedly attacked journalists and members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists during post-election activities.
Ekiti State also returned all three serving senators, including Opeyemi Bamidele, Yemi Adaramodu, and Cyril Fasuyi.
Rivers Senator Protests Disqualification
In Rivers State, Senator Ipalibo Banigo-Harry protested her disqualification from the APC senatorial primaries.
The former deputy governor described her exclusion as unjust and appealed to President Bola Tinubu and party leaders to intervene.
“I am a serving senator. I deserve to be cleared,” she stated.
She also argued for greater female representation in the Senate.
44 Aspirants Disqualified Nationwide
Ahead of the primaries, the APC screening committee disqualified 44 aspirants across several states, triggering widespread protests and allegations of manipulation.
The list, released by APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, included aspirants from Rivers, Oyo, Bayelsa, Cross River, Plateau, Kwara, and other states.
Among those initially listed as “Not Cleared” was former Bayelsa East senator Ben Murray-Bruce, although his name was later removed from an updated list without explanation.
The revised list also reclassified some aspirants as voluntary withdrawals, defectors, or absent during screening.
Despite growing criticism, the APC leadership has yet to officially explain the reasons behind many of the disqualifications.
Kwara Consensus Deal Sparks Fresh Tension
In Kwara State, a planned consensus arrangement nearly collapsed after reports emerged that Senator Saliu Mustapha had secured clearance to challenge Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for the Kwara Central ticket.
The development reportedly unsettled party stakeholders who initially believed the governor would emerge unopposed.
A statement earlier issued by the governor’s media aide has describe AbdulRazaq as the sole cleared aspirant before the position was later reversed following fresh communication from the APC national leadership.
The unfolding drama further highlighted the deepening internal power struggles shaping the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
