The All Progressives Congress senatorial primaries for the 2027 elections produced major political upsets on Monday, with several powerful figures crashing out while others secured victory through consensus arrangements and tightly contested polls.
Among the biggest surprises were the defeats and withdrawals involving former governors Ibikunle Amosun, Gbenga Daniel and Rochas Okorocha.
In Imo State, Governor Hope Uzodimma defeated Okorocha in the APC primary for Imo West Senatorial District, further consolidating his grip on the party structure in the state.
Former Kogi governor Yahaya Bello also made a dramatic political comeback after emerging as the winner of the APC senatorial primary for Kogi Central. Bello reportedly polled 72,399 votes to defeat Ibrahim Yakubu Adoje and Momoh Obaro.
In Ogun State, confusion and withdrawals dominated the exercise. Amosun and Daniel were absent from the primaries in Ogun Central and Ogun East, respectively, despite earlier speculation about their participation.
Daniel’s media aide, Steve Oliyide, said the former governor stayed away to avoid violence, insisting that no political ambition was worth bloodshed.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, however, emerged victorious in Ogun East after polling 810 votes out of 812 accredited delegates. He dismissed reports of unrest and described the process as peaceful and democratic.
In Ogun Central, Senator Shuaib Salisu secured a landslide win over Senator Gbenga Obadara, while Hon. Jimoh Ojugbele emerged as the APC candidate for Ogun West following what party insiders described as a consensus arrangement.
Elsewhere, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Senator Ali Ndume and former Edo governor Adams Oshiomhole all emerged as consensus candidates in their respective states.
In Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa defeated incumbent Senator Ned Nwoko in Delta North, while Senator Ede Dafinone overcame former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege in Delta Central.
The Edo South primary, however, descended into confusion after rival camps announced different winners.
While Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama was declared the winner by the official APC collation committee, another faction reportedly announced Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as the victor.
Senator Neda Imasuen rejected the exercise entirely, describing it as manipulated and predetermined.
Meanwhile, tension erupted in Ebonyi State shortly after Senator Kenneth Eze was declared the winner of the Ebonyi Central primary.
The situation reportedly turned chaotic after journalists approached the senator for comments, leading to a confrontation involving some of his supporters and members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.
Despite isolated controversies, APC officials in states including Oyo and Ekiti described the primaries as peaceful and orderly.
In Rivers State, Senator Ipalibo Banigo-Harry protested her disqualification from the APC senatorial primaries, describing the decision as unfair and discriminatory against women in politics.
Read Also: I am being intimidated- Desmond Elliot cries out ahead of APC primaries in Surulere
