Senate President Godswill Akpabio; his deputy, Barau Jibrin; and other prominent figures—including Ali Ndume, Ahmed Lawan, Opeyemi Bamidele, Orji Uzor Kalu, Ede Dafinone, and Adamu Aliero—were among leading politicians who emerged victorious in the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primaries held nationwide ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Also securing tickets are former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, and former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
However, the primaries were marred in several states by violence, confusion, protests, and allegations of manipulation. Earlier, the party had disqualified 44 senatorial aspirants from participating in the exercise.
Violence Disrupts Delta Primaries
Violence erupted in Delta North and Delta South senatorial districts during the APC primaries, with incidents recorded at Ebe Primary School, Ovrode (Isoko North LGA), and Idumuje-Uno (Aniocha North LGA).
In Idumuje-Uno, a man identified as Ernest was stabbed during a clash reportedly triggered by a struggle over result sheets among rival youth groups. He is currently receiving treatment in hospital. The altercation, allegedly involving supporters loyal to Ernest and a councillor, Anselm, escalated rapidly into violence, causing panic among party members.
At Ovrode, armed youths reportedly invaded the venue and opened fire, sparking chaos and a stampede that left several participants injured. Ovie Umuakpo, an aide to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, was said to have narrowly escaped a mob attack. The injured were taken to a nearby hospital in Ofagbe.
Sources attributed the violence to a power struggle involving political actors, while others linked it to the controversial relocation of the primary venue. Eyewitnesses described scenes of confusion as gunshots rang out, forcing participants to flee.
Umuakpo denied involvement, stating that he had only visited the venue to clarify the relocation and that his entourage was attacked upon arrival. Authorities later restored calm, and voting concluded in some areas, with collation taking place in Oleh.
Delta Results: Dafinone, Okowa Record Victories
In Delta Central, Senator Ede Dafinone defeated former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege by a wide margin, polling 116,252 votes against 3,643.
In Delta North, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa secured victory with 113,309 votes, defeating incumbent Senator Ned Nwoko, who polled 2,612 votes, while Mariam Ali garnered 40 votes.
The primaries, conducted using the direct voting system (Option A4), recorded high participation and were described in some quarters as peaceful and transparent.
In Delta South, incumbent Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas is reportedly leading in six of the eight local government areas, with final collation ongoing.
Chaos in Ondo Primary
In Ondo Central, the APC senatorial primary was disrupted by suspected thugs who fired gunshots at Ward 5, Ebenezer African Church Primary School, Akure. The incident forced party members, journalists, and residents to flee for safety.
Incumbent Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire described the process as a “charade,” alleging that the violence was orchestrated to suppress his supporters. Another aspirant, Olumuyiwa Adu, also rejected the credibility of the exercise.
Police later restored order, clarifying that the incident involved political thugs rather than armed robbery.
Gombe: Goje Loses, Ahmadu Emerges
In Gombe Central, former Governor and serving Senator Danjuma Goje lost his bid for re-election, as retired Deputy Commissioner of Police Mohammed Ahmadu emerged winner with 42,785 votes, defeating Goje, who polled 10,425.
The outcome is widely viewed as a political victory for Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, whose camp had earlier backed Ahmadu as a consensus candidate. The primaries were described as peaceful, with strong turnout.
Bauchi: Mixed Outcomes
In Bauchi South, former lawmaker Yakubu Abdullahi Shehu won the APC ticket with 25,762 votes, defeating four other aspirants.
Meanwhile, in Bauchi North, incumbent Senator Sama’ila Kaila lost his re-election bid to Ibrahim Mohammed Baba, who secured 22,764 votes against Kaila’s 12,912.
Uzodimma Defeats Okorocha in Imo
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma clinched the APC ticket for Imo West Senatorial District with a landslide victory, polling 230,464 votes to defeat former Governor Rochas Okorocha, who scored 1,098 votes—highlighting Uzodimma’s strong political influence in the zone.
Confusion in Edo South
Confusion trailed the APC primary in Edo South, as two aspirants—Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama—were declared winners by rival electoral officials.
While one faction announced Ogbeide-Ihama as winner with 27,154 votes, another declared Ize-Iyamu victorious with 33,399 votes. The conflicting results have heightened tensions within the party, with allegations of irregularities raised by stakeholders.
Overall, while the APC primaries produced several high-profile winners, the process was overshadowed in parts by violence, disputes, and organisational challenges—raising concerns about internal party cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections.