The All Progressives Congress APC senatorial primaries held across Nigeria yesterday produced several high profile winners and s amid controversies disqualifications protests and consensus arrangements ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party disqualified no fewer than 44 senatorial aspirants from participating in the primaries including Rivers politician Tein Jack Rich Senator Ipalibo Banigo and former Rivers State Head of Service Tammy Danagogo. However former Bayelsa East senator Ben Murray Bruce was later reinstated after initially appearing on the disqualification list released by the APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka.
Among the major winners were Senate President Godswill Akpabio Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele former Senate Leader Ali Ndume former Edo governor Adams Oshiomhole and former Senate President Ahmad Lawan who all secured return tickets through consensus or direct victories.
In Kogi Central former Governor Yahaya Bello achieved a landslide victory with 72,399 votes defeating his challengers across the district. In Delta State Senator Ede Dafinone defeated former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo Agege while former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa defeated incumbent Senator Ned Nwoko in Delta North.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu secured a major victory in Abia North polling 65,651 votes while Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin emerged unopposed in Kano North.
The primaries also witnessed disputes and allegations of manipulation in some states. In Edo South parallel results emerged after Omoregie Ogbeide Ihama defeated Senator Neda Imasuen and Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu while another faction declared Ize Iyamu winner.
Several states including Sokoto Kebbi Zamfara and Niger adopted consensus arrangements that returned serving senators and lawmakers as APC candidates for 2027.
Despite complaints and protests in some areas APC leaders described the primaries as peaceful transparent and a sign of growing party unity ahead of the next general elections.
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