The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday concluded senatorial primary elections across several states ahead of the 2027 general elections, with serving governors, former governors and top federal lawmakers emerging victorious in the contests.
Seven serving governors clinched the APC senatorial tickets during the exercise. They include Governors Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa), Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (Kwara), and Mai Mala Buni (Yobe).
The primaries also produced victories for 12 former governors, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, former Akwa Ibom governor, who retained the APC ticket for Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District.
Others are Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Ramalan Yero (Kaduna), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Adamu Aliero (Kebbi), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Ibrahim Shekarau (Kano), and Sani Bello (Niger).
Several ranking lawmakers and party leaders also secured return tickets. Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau won the APC ticket for Kano North, while Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele retained the Ekiti Central ticket. Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu also emerged victorious in the Ekiti South primary.
However, the exercise recorded notable upsets, with Deputy Senate Leader Lola Ashiru losing the Kwara South ticket to former Federal Character Commission chairperson, Muheebah Dankaka.
In total, 51 serving senators, including Senator Ede Dafinone of Delta Central, secured APC tickets to seek re-election in 2027.
Meanwhile, at least 14 serving senators lost their bids during the primaries. Among those defeated are Pam Dachungyang (Plateau North), Eteng Williams (Cross River Central), Osita Izunaso (Imo West), Ned Nwoko (Delta North), Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central), Samaila Kaila (Bauchi North), Diket Plang (Plateau Central), Adeniyi Adegbonmire (Ondo Central), Peter Jiya (Niger South), Titus Zam (Benue North-West), Olajide Ipinsagba (Ondo North), and Emmanuel Udende (Benue North-East).
Some lawmakers also stepped down from the race, were disqualified, or opted not to seek re-election.
Credit: TheCable
