The build-up to the 2027 general elections took a dramatic turn on Monday as the All Progressives Congress (APC) witnessed major political upsets, intense power plays, and consensus arrangements during its senatorial primaries held across the country.
The exercise produced some of the biggest surprises in recent party history, with several influential political figures losing out while others secured tickets through decisive victories, endorsements, and negotiated agreements.
Among the most notable outcomes was the victory of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma over former governor Rochas Okorocha in the Imo West senatorial primary. Uzodimma polled 230,464 votes while Okorocha scored 1,098 votes.
In Delta State, former governor Ifeanyi Okowa defeated incumbent Senator Ned Nwoko to clinch the APC ticket for Delta North. In Delta Central, Senator Ede Dafinone defeated former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege in a keenly contested race.
Several APC powerbrokers, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Senator Ali Ndume, and Senator Adams Oshiomhole, emerged through consensus or affirmation processes in their respective districts.
Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello also staged a strong political comeback after winning the APC senatorial primary for Kogi Central with a landslide victory. Bello polled 72,399 votes to defeat Ibrahim Yakubu Adoje and Momoh Obaro.
In Kano North, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin emerged through affirmation amid strong support from party delegates and leaders.
Confusion, however, trailed the Edo South primary as two rival camps announced different winners. While APC officials declared Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama winner, another faction insisted Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu won the contest. Senator Neda Imasuen rejected the process entirely, describing it as manipulated.
Ogun State recorded a mix of withdrawals, consensus deals, and political tension. Former governors Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun stayed away from the exercise despite earlier interest in the race. Governor Dapo Abiodun, however, secured overwhelming support in Ogun East.
Daniel’s camp said the former governor withdrew to avoid violence and maintain peace within the party.
In Ekiti State, all three incumbent senators retained their tickets. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele emerged as consensus candidate for Ekiti Central, while Senators Yemi Adaramodu and Cyril Fasuyi also secured victories in their respective districts.
Oyo State witnessed a largely peaceful exercise across the three senatorial districts, with party officials describing the process as orderly and transparent.
Rivers State recorded one of the biggest controversies as Senator Ipalibo Banigo-Harry protested her disqualification from the primaries. The serving senator described the move as unfair and called on the APC leadership to reconsider the decision.
In Akwa Ibom North West, Senate President Godswill Akpabio emerged unopposed amid a carnival-like affirmation exercise attended by large numbers of party supporters.
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Kaduna State also produced a major result as former governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero emerged winner of the Kaduna North senatorial primary after defeating two other aspirants.
Before the primaries, the APC screening committee disqualified 44 aspirants across different states, sparking protests and allegations of manipulation within the party.
Some of the affected aspirants included prominent politicians from Rivers, Oyo, Bayelsa, Kebbi, Kwara, Plateau, and Cross River states.
In some states, however, party leaders adopted consensus arrangements to avoid internal crises. Borno, Yobe, Kebbi, and Lagos States all witnessed consensus outcomes involving serving senators and influential party leaders.
One of the most dramatic moments came from Kwara State, where confusion surrounded the APC ticket for Kwara Central after conflicting reports emerged over whether Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq would contest unopposed or face Senator Saliu Mustapha.
The primaries have further exposed deep internal rivalries, shifting alliances, and growing political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections, with many observers describing the exercise as an early sign of the fierce battles expected within the ruling party in the months ahead.
