Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday conducted primary elections for aspirants interested in contesting on the party’s platform.
According to Naija News, most first-term governors secured return tickets to seek re-election, while several outgoing governors also successfully delivered their preferred successors in consensus-driven primaries across the country.
Governors who clinched tickets unopposed to fly the APC flag in 2027 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, Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; Senator Olamilekan Adeola in Ogun; Kingsley Chinda in Rivers; and Mustapha Gubio in Borno all emerged as consensus candidates in their respective states.
In Rivers, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Tonye Cole and Dakorinama George-Kelly withdrew from the race, paving the way for Chinda to emerge as the sole aspirant.
The exercises, however, were not smooth sailing in Oyo, Kwara, Bauchi and Taraba states.
As earlier reported by Naija News, the APC national headquarters halted the Kwara governorship primary midway on Thursday and announced that the exercise has been rescheduled for Friday.
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.
Similarly, in Oyo, former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, rejected the process, alleging intimidation, manipulation and falsification of results in parts of the state.
Members of the party in Bauchi State decried alleged moves to impose a governorship candidate, insisting on a transparent, credible and competitive process.
Following some hitches, the APC leadership also postponed the governorship primary in Bauchi to Friday while 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.
These developments were confirmed in a statement on Thursday by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka.
“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.
