The All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primaries across Nigeria concluded with a mixture of high-profile upsets, intense protests, and widespread consensus arrangements, alongside serious allegations of manipulation.

The ruling party barred at least 44 senatorial aspirants from participating in the primaries, including prominent Rivers State politician Tein Jack-Rich, Senator Ipalibo Banigo, and former Rivers State Head of Service, Tammy Danagogo. Conversely, the party’s leadership reinstated former Bayelsa East Senator Ben Murray-Bruce after he was initially included on the list of un-cleared candidates.

According to an updated list released by APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, Rivers State recorded one of the highest numbers of disqualifications, while Zamfara State produced the single largest bloc of barred aspirants.

Incumbents Secure Return Tickets

It was a victorious day for several leading lights of the 10th Senate, who secured return tickets either through consensus or decisive primary wins. Among those advancing to the 2027 general elections are:

• Senate President Godswill Akpabio

• Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin (Kano North, unopposed)

• Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central, unopposed)

• Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North)

• Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North, unopposed)

• Senator Ede Dafinone (Delta Central)

• Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South, via consensus)

• Senator Ahmad Lawan (Yobe)

• Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma (Imo West)

In Kogi Central, former Governor Yahaya Bello secured a landslide victory, polling 72,399 votes to defeat his challengers across the district's five local government areas.

Flashpoints of Discord and Parallel Results

Despite the successes of top party figures, several states were marred by friction, parallel results, and institutional pushback.

Kogi East

Senator Jibrin Isah rejected the outcome of the primary after losing his return ticket. He accused the camp of Governor Ahmed Ododo of hijacking materials and frustrating his supporters. "The battle line has been drawn," Isah declared, vowing to challenge Governor Ododo directly in the state's upcoming political cycles.

Delta State

While Senator Ede Dafinone officially polled 116,252 votes to defeat former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege (3,643 votes) in Delta Central, Omo-Agege countered the announcement, claiming he had won the contest. In Delta North, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa trounced incumbent Senator Ned Nwoko by 113,309 votes to 2,612. In Delta South, incumbent Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas held an early lead in six of the eight local government areas.

Edo South

Controversy deepened in Edo South where parallel results emerged. The Chairman of the APC National Assembly Primary Election Committee, Muhammed Ajana, initially announced Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama as the winner with 27,154 votes, defeating Senator Neda Imasuen (13,580 votes) and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu (6,785 votes).

However, a separate declaration by Chief Returning Officer Abubakar Muhammad Kabiru named Ize-Iyamu the winner. Senator Imasuen condemned the exercise as a "sham," alleging that party leaders had intimidated voters and manipulated the process to favor an anointed candidate.

Benue South

Comrade Daniel Onjeh, former chairman of the Governing Board of the Projects Development Institute (PRODA), withdrew from the Benue South primary. In a formal letter to the party leadership, Onjeh cited systemic irregularities and alleged that the results had been "pre-written" by anti-democratic forces.

Gombe Central

In one of the biggest upsets of the primaries, incumbent Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje lost his bid for a fifth term. The returning officer, Dr. Habu Dahiru, announced that retired DCP Mohammed Ahmed won the ticket with 42,785 votes against Goje’s 10,425 votes.

Regional Breakdown of Key Primary Outcomes

Rivers State & The Gender Inclusion Debate

Rivers State faced severe internal friction following the sweeping disqualification of all aspirants from the Rivers West senatorial district, particularly those representing the Kalabari riverine axis.

Former Deputy Governor and serving Senator Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo strongly criticized the screening committee's decision to disqualify her. She noted that with only four women currently serving in the 10th Senate, the party should prioritize gender sensitivity and equity rather than shutting out experienced female lawmakers. Meanwhile, key allies of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike—including Prince Felix Obua and Senator Allwell Onyesoh—are expected to secure smooth clearances.

Cross River

All three incumbent senators—Asuquo Ekpenyong (South), Eteng Williams (Central), and Jarigbe Agom (North)—secured their return tickets via affirmation. This followed the disqualification of key opponents, including Commissioner for Special Duties Oden Ewa, and the strategic withdrawal of former Governor Ben Ayade in the northern district following an intervention by President Bola Tinubu.

Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi & Niger: The Consensus Strongholds

The consensus model was widely deployed across several northern states to maintain internal stability:

• Zamfara: All incumbent National Assembly members were affirmed for the 2027 polls, including Senators Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar (West), Sahabi Ya’u Kaura (North), and Ikra Aliyu Bilbis (Central).

• Sokoto: Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko (Sokoto North) led a clean sweep of consensus endorsements alongside Ibrahim Abdullahi Danbaba (South) and Alhaji Umaru Ajiya (East).

• Kebbi: Former Governor Senator Muhammadu Adamu Aliero was affirmed as the sole candidate for Kebbi Central following the withdrawal of Kabir Sani Giant.

• Niger: Former Governor Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger North) and Senator Sani Musa (Niger East) retained their tickets via consensus, though Niger South stakeholders rejected the arrangement, forcing a direct primary election.

Kwara State

Kwara Central hosted a fierce executive-legislative showdown as Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq squared off against serving Senator Saliu Mustapha. Heavy voter turnout was recorded across Ilorin East and Ilorin West, with local party stakeholders swinging heavily in favor of the governor, leaving Mustapha facing zero-vote returns in several key wards.

Despite localized protests and logistics disputes, national APC leadership has characterized the primary season as a transparent exercise that reflects a strengthening of internal cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections.