Ruling Party Primaries: Governors' Preferred Candidates Dominate Nominations

Most first-term governors of the All Progressives Congress, APC, secured return tickets for the 2027 governorship elections through consensus-driven primaries across the country, while several outgoing governors successfully delivered their preferred successors.

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The exercises, however, recorded pockets of tension in Oyo, Kwara, Bauchi, and Taraba states, highlighting the challenges faced by the party in conducting peaceful primaries.

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Notable governors who clinched tickets unopposed included Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Umaru Bago of Niger, Dikko Radda of Katsina, Nasir Idris of Kebbi, Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Uba Sani of Kaduna, Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, and Umar Namadi of Jigawa.

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Additionally, Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Senator Olamilekan Adeola in Ogun, Kingsley Chinda in Rivers, and Mustapha Gubio in Borno emerged as candidates through consensus arrangements backed by party leaders.

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In Rivers, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Tonye Cole, and Dakorinama George-Kelly withdrew from the race, paving the way for Chinda’s emergence as the sole aspirant, following a consensus arrangement that ensured a peaceful primary.

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Taraba Governor Agbu Kefas, however, faced a tough challenge from former Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, who insisted that the primary process must be transparent and credible.

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The APC national headquarters halted the Kwara governorship primary midway and replaced the electoral committee without giving reasons, rescheduling the exercise for the next day.

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In Oyo, former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, rejected the primary process, alleging intimidation, manipulation, and falsification of results in parts of the state, which could potentially plunge the party into crisis.

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APC stakeholders in Bauchi protested alleged moves to impose a governorship candidate, insisting on a transparent contest that would reflect the will of party members.

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The APC has postponed its governorship primaries in Bauchi and Kwara States to Friday, May 22, 2026, and also rescheduled the State House of Assembly Primary Elections for Maradun I and Maradun II Constituencies in Zamfara State to Sunday, May 24, 2026.

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According to party spokesman, 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 processes.

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APC members in Bauchi State decried alleged moves to impose a governorship candidate, insisting on a transparent, credible, and competitive process that would strengthen party unity.

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Musa Buba Mohammed, an APC stakeholder, said members would not accept any attempt by a few individuals to impose a candidate on the party, emphasizing the need for a democratic process.

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In Kwara State, the primaries were ongoing peacefully across the 193 wards of the 16 local governments when it was suddenly aborted and postponed till Friday, with the team for the primary changed and already in Ilorin.

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Kwara State Chairman of the party, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, confirmed the development, stating that the new team would address the aspirants later in the day and conduct the exercise.

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Earlier in the day, it was gathered that eight aspirants had thrown their weight behind Ambassador Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki, being backed by AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in a strategic alliance aimed at strengthening the party.

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Adelabu alleged widespread manipulation, voter intimidation, and electoral fraud during the primaries in Oyo, warning that attempts to impose a preferred candidate could plunge the party into crisis ahead of the 2027 elections.

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Despite expressing satisfaction with proceedings in his ward, Adelabu claimed disturbing reports had emerged from several other parts of the state, alleging that the primary election was compromised by acts of intimidation, violence, and outright falsification of results.

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The Chairman of the House of Assembly and Governorship Primary Election Committee in Oyo State, Taofeek Abdulsalam, dismissed concerns over the conduct of the election, insisting that the exercise had remained largely peaceful and orderly across the state.

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In Rivers, the sole governorship aspirant, Kingsley Chinda, said the exercise was peaceful and easier following the withdrawal of the other three aspirants from the race, including incumbent governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Tonye Cole, and Alabo Dakorinama George-Kelly.

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The Chairman of the State Governorship Primary, Kwamoti Bitrus, announced that Chinda polled 268,497 votes as the sole candidate of the party, in a primary that was described as peaceful and transparent.

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APC declared Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago unopposed in Niger, with the declaration made on Thursday at the APC state secretariat in Minna during the party’s governorship primary election.

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The chairman of the APC electoral committee and returning officer, Danlami Abubakar, announced Bago as the party’s sole candidate after the adoption process, stating that the governor satisfied all requirements for the nomination and enjoyed overwhelming support from party members.

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In Lagos, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu backed Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as APC governorship candidate, expressing confidence that he would consolidate on the achievements of the administration and continue developmental programmes in the state.

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Hamzat emerged through the direct primary, describing democracy as “a competition of ideas, not war,” and pledging to continue the party’s programmes in Lagos.

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In Ogun State, Governor Dapo Abiodun said consensus arrangements adopted by the party had strengthened unity and reduced internal crisis, producing Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola as APC governorship candidate for the state.

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Abiodun stated that extensive consultations were held with aspirants and stakeholders to ensure inclusiveness and avoid bitterness, resulting in a peaceful primary that reflected the will of party members.

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In Delta, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori emerged as an APC candidate after polling 345,375 votes in the direct primary conducted across the state’s 25 local government areas, commending party members for peaceful conduct and calling for unity ahead of the general election.

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In Niger State, Governor Umaru Bago was affirmed as APC candidate after stakeholders adopted him unopposed, with the governor promising inclusive governance and announcing plans to reconcile aggrieved party members after the primaries.

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Kebbi Governor Nasir Idris secured unanimous endorsement from APC members across the state’s 225 wards, pledging to deepen developmental projects and run an inclusive administration if re-elected.

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In Sokoto, APC members from the 244 wards of the state unanimously affirmed Governor Ahmad Aliyu as the party’s governorship candidate for 2027, with Aliyu describing the endorsement as a vote of confidence in his administration.

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Kaduna Governor Uba Sani also secured overwhelming affirmation votes to emerge as APC candidate, stating that his administration would consolidate on gains recorded in security, infrastructure, and rural development.

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In Jigawa, delegates from the 287 wards affirmed Governor Umar Namadi as the sole candidate, with Namadi describing the consensus arrangement as one of the most successful in the country.

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Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal equally emerged as a consensus candidate after affirmation by party delegates in Gusau, in a primary that was peaceful and transparent.

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In Katsina, APC delegates unanimously endorsed Governor Dikko Radda as candidate for the 2027 election, with former Governor Aminu Masari urging aggrieved aspirants to support Radda and work for party unity.

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In Borno, Mustapha Gubio emerged as APC governorship candidate after a consensus arrangement backed by Governor Babagana Zulum and Vice President Kashim Shettima, with Gubio pledging to consolidate on the administration’s achievements in security, education, and infrastructure.

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The primaries also witnessed withdrawals and strategic alliances in some states, including Adamawa, where three aspirants stepped down for Ahmed Galadima Aminu ahead of the primary, in a move aimed at strengthening party unity and improving APC’s chances in the state.

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Despite pockets of discontent, APC leaders in several states described the primaries as peaceful, transparent, and reflective of internal democracy, pledging reconciliation and inclusiveness ahead of the 2027 general elections.