The primaries of All Progressives Congress (APC) has substantially been concluded with only that of the presidency and a few governorship and National Assembly contests pending.

Schedule of the primaries as released by the APC indicated that the exercise was to commence last week’s Friday, with the House of Representatives elections, but it was later shifted to Saturday, due to disagreements over the method to adopt in carrying out the exercise.

Since the primaries commenced, many aspirants who lost have been gnashing their teeth while those that won have been jubilating. The past one week has produced big winners and unexpected losers.

Analysts said though it was expected that some aspirants would lose in every election cycle, the level of optimism exhibited by politicians while campaigning and before the votes are counted usually magnifies the sense of loss to the extent that some see it as an end to their political careers.

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The big surprises in the just concluded primaries include the withdrawal of the Governor of Rivers State Siminalayi Fubara, from the race for the governorship ticket on the eve of the exercise.

There’s also Nicholas Mutu, Nigeria’s longest-serving House of Representatives member from Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency of Delta State, who lost his bid to obtain the ticket to return to the House for the eight time.

Former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege and Senator Ned Nwoko, also lost in Delta State.

Those that won include former Senate President, Ahmed Lawan; presiding officers of the National Assembly like Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen; Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele.

All the APC governors seeking second term except Fubara also won their tickets to run.

There were complaints of irregularities, manipulations and alleged attempts to deny some persons the opportunity to participate. Even in areas where the exercises are believed to have been concluded, there are indications that the last has not been heard about them as aggrieved aspirants have promised to take up the matter with the national secretariat of the party.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Felix Morka, could not be reached for comment yesterday, but one of the party’s officials said there is Governorship Primary Appeal Committee set up for all the 28 states where such election was held.

The official, who sought anonymity, said the committees are expected to hear complaints from all the aspirants regarding the election.

“Any aspirant who has one reservation or the other is expected to contact the committee in his or her state and formally file the complaints. The committee members will look into such complaints, resolve them or send their reports to the national secretariat of the party,’’ he said.

He added that committees are expected to submit their reports on Sunday.

How the exercise went in states

Speaker wins in Kwara

Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Salihu Yakubu Danladi, has been declared winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in the state.

He defeated 14 other aspirants, including an incumbent senator, in the party’s primary election.

Danladi secured 94,990 votes to emerge winner of the exercise conducted across the 16 local government areas of the state.

Chairman of the APC Governorship Primary Election Committee and former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, announced the result.

Declaring the outcome of the exercise, Obanikoro said the primary was peaceful and successful, insisting that there was no loser in the contest.

The governorship primary followed days of political tension and intense succession permutations within the ruling party over who succeeds Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in 2027.

The race generated controversy after reports emerged that the governor had backed Ambassador Yahaya Seriki as his preferred successor, triggering opposition from some aspirants and political blocs within the APC.

The crisis deepened on Thursday after the party abruptly suspended the governorship primary midway into the process, citing logistical concerns and the need for further consultations among stakeholders.

Ahead of the rescheduled exercise, Obanikoro met with aspirants at the APC state secretariat in Ilorin and assured party members of a transparent, free and credible process in line with the directives of the party’s national leadership.

In Adamawa, it is Galadima

Former Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Trust Department Fund (PTDF), Ahmad Tijjani Galadima was declared winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election. Chairman of the election committee, Professor Innocent Bariko, made the declaration while announcing the election results in Yola, the state capital, on Friday.

He said Galadima won with 414,444 votes to defeat the remaining contenders in the race.

Professor Bariko stated that the youngest politician among the aspirants, Abdurahman Bashir Haske, polled 65,424 votes to emerge third while Abdulrazak Namdas came second with 86,004 votes. Sources said Galadima was supported by the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu.

Taraba, Agbu Kefas gets ticket

The incumbent governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas, also emerged as the All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship candidate.

He defeated a former Minister of Transport, Alhaji Muazu Sambo Jaji, who secured 4, 110 votes during the primaries.

Announcing the results of the election, Friday evening in Jalingo, Secretary of the election committee, Dr Haruna Yakubu who announced the results, said Governor Kefas secured a total of 166,357 votes from all the 16 local government areas of the state to emerge victorious.

Governor Kefas, while reacting to the outcome of the election expressed appreciation to all those that voted for him during the primaries.

Reacting to the outcome of the election, the campaign organisation of the former Minister of Transportation, Engr. Mu’azu Sambo Jaji, alleged irregularities in the process

Kano: Gov Yusuf, Barau, Sumaila in, Farouk Lawan out

In Kano, the big winners are the state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, the two APC Senators, Barau Jibrin and Kawu Sumaila alongside many other elected representatives.

Before joining the APC from the NNPP, Governor Yusuf’s strongest contenders were in the APC, the likes of Barau, 2023 candidate, Nasiru Gawuna, among others.

However, immediately he decamped to the party, all other aspirants stepped aside and endorsed him, making him the only candidate who subsequently emerged through consensus.

Similarly, the duo of Senator Barau and Sumaila emerged as all other aspirants stepped down for them.

Also, all other members of the House of Representatives in the party, including those elected on the platform in 2023, and those who later joined before or with Governor Yusuf, got their return tickets, thereby making them big winners.

The defection also made most of the major contenders for all the seats in both ruling and opposition parties to be on one side, thereby overcoming their biggest obstacle.

For Doguwa/Tudun Wada federal constituency, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, in Dawakin Tofa/Tofa/Rimin Gado, Tijjani Abdulkadir Jobe, and in Kiru/Bebeji, Abdulmumin Jibrin, all got their tickets through consensus.

On the losers end, a former member who represented Bagwai/Shanono and wanted to reclaim the seat after conviction and subsequent presidential pardon, Farouk Lawan, lost his bid to the incumbent following the consensus arrangement.

The same thing with former Tarauni member, Hafizu Kawu, who lost his return ambition to former presidential aide, Nasir Ja’oji

Katsina: Radda, Yusuf Buhari

Among the winners is Muhammad Daha Umar Faruk, the eldest son of the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruk Umar Faruk. He secured the APC ticket for the Baure/Zango Federal Constituency through a consensus arrangement.

Faruk, who currently holds the traditional title of Danburam of Daura, is now the APC flag bearer for the Baure/Zango Federal Constituency. He displaced the incumbent house member, Lawal Sani.

A serving member of the House of Representatives, Sani Aliyu Danlami, lost his bid to secure the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for the Katsina Central Federal Constituency following a consensus arrangement that produced Abba Dahiru Mangal as the party’s flag bearer.

It was gathered that the emergence of Abba Mangal, a legal practitioner, attracted attention not only because he did not publicly declare interest in the race, but also because of his strong political background. He is the son of prominent businessman and political heavyweight, Alhaji Dahiru Barau Mangal, who is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Katsina politics.

Also, among the winners is, Yusuf Buhari, son of former Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari. He emerged as the winner of the APC primary election for the Daura/Sandamu/Mai’adua Federal Constituency seat ahead of the 2027 general elections. Buhari contested against Auwal Lawal Daura, the son of the former Director of State Security Service, Lawal Daura. Yusuf emerged winner through a direct primary election.

Bauchi: Defections ahead primary

In Bauchi, the biggest shocker was the defection of the incumbent senator representing Bauchi North, Samaila Kaila Dahuwa.

Another major surprise in the APC primaries was the withdrawal of the front line governorship aspirant and senator representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, Shehu Buba Umar, from the gubernatorial race on the eve of the election, in protest over what he termed imposition of candidates in the party.

Popular politician and former member representing Bauchi Federal Constituency, Yakubu Abdullahi, known as ‘Wakilin Birni’ defeated four other aspirants to emerge as the senatorial candidate for the Southern district. He will slug it out with Governor Bala Mohammed of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). Three serving APC members of the House of Representative got their return tickets. For the governorship, there are two major contenders; former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, who recently resigned from office and a former governor of the state, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, who governed the state from 2015 to 2019. He is believed to have the support of the Coordinating Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Pate and former governor, Isa Yuguda. The governorship primaries were postponed till yesterday (Friday) and at the time of filing this report, no formal announcement of results had been made.

Gombe: Goje loses 5th term attempt, Gwamna wins

Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje’s struggle to retain his Gombe Central Senatorial seat culminated in a defeat at the primary election.

He lost the party’s ticket to DCP Mohammed Ahmed (Rtd),who is believed to have been backed by Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.

Weekend Trust reports that with the declaration of the official results which was mandated by the APC National Secretariat to conduct the election, Goje has officially lost out in his bid to clinch the party’s ticket to return to the National Assembly.

For the governorship,Jamilu Gwamna emerged as the candidate of the party. His major challenger was former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Mal. Isa Pantami, who withdrew hours to the exercise.

Yobe: Khadija Bukar Abba out, Wali in

For the governorship ticket, a former Secretary to the Yobe State Government (SSG), Baba Malam Wali, emerged as the governorship candidate. Wali is from Nguru Local government area and he is 68 years old. He emerged through a consensus arrangement. Initially, there were six aspirants, but the number later reduced to three. One of the three was disqualified and the others contested against him.

He defeated other aspirants including Dr. Abubakar Bukar Kagu, Bashir Sheriff Machina, Engr. Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja Hamidu Alhaji Muhammad, Inusa Muhammad and Ma’aji Modu.

Former Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, also won his ticket to run for the senator again. Lawan who secured the ticket for the sixth term, has been in the National Assembly since 1999. He began at the House of Representatives, but in 2007, he crossed over to the Senate.

A former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim, who represents the Damaturu, Gujba/Gulani/Tarmuwa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, however, lost her bid to return to the National Assembly.

The former minister lost the party’s ticket to the Majority Leader of the Yobe State House of Assembly and member representing Damaturu Central Constituency, Nasiru Hassan Yusuf.

Khadija has been a member of the National Assembly since 2007, representing the constituency.

She served as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs from 2016 to 2019, during the administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari.

She remains the longest-serving member of the House of Representatives from Yobe State.

Benue: Akume’s camp flushed, Alia, Suswam win

In Benue State, several political heavyweights were either swept aside or returned victorious as the All Progressives Congress (APC) concluded its primary elections across the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The exercise produced major upsets for loyalists of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, as two incumbent senators and several serving House of Representatives members lost their return bids to candidates believed to enjoy the backing of Governor Hyacinth Alia.

Among the biggest winners was former Benue State governor and senator, Gabriel Suswam, who staged a strong political comeback by defeating incumbent Senator Emmanuel Udende in the Benue North East (Zone A) senatorial primary.

In Benue North West (Zone B), incumbent Senator Titus Zam also suffered a crushing defeat, losing to retired senior Customs officer, Teseer Benjamin Aber, husband of the Benue State Secretary to the Government, who polled 93,412 votes to Zam’s 2,763 votes.

For Benue South (Zone C), former House of Representatives member, Dr. Francis Agbo, emerged victorious with 58,760 votes to defeat five other contenders, including Daniel Onjeh who scored 4,570 votes.

The House of Representatives primaries equally recorded major political casualties as six serving lawmakers lost their tickets. Those defeated include Dickson Tarkghir of Makurdi/Guma, Sesoo Gboko of Vandeikya/Konshisha, Asema Achado of Gwer East/Gwer West, Ugbor Terseer of Kwande/Ushongo, Sekav Iortyom of Buruku and David Ogewu of Oju/Obi.

Among the notable winners were wife of the SGF, Regina Akume, who retained the APC ticket for Gboko/Tarka federal constituency, and Blessing Onuh, daughter of former Senate President David Mark, who secured victory in Otukpo/Ohimini federal constituency.

Kebbi: Maidoki, Ibn Na’Allah not so lucky

Senator Musa Maidoki and Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah lost in the just concluded Kebbi South Senatorial primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to Jafar Muhammad Gajere, a relatively unknown personality in Kebbi South political circle.

Maidoki, a sitting senator and Ibn Na’Allah, who is the immediate past senator of the Senatorial District were asked to step down for Gajere, the preferred candidate of the ruling party and the state government days before the primaries.

Kogi: Yahaya Bello, Karimi win as Echocho lose

In the All Progressive Congress (APC) primaries held on Monday 18th May across the three districts of Kogi State, ex- Governor Yahaya Bello won the ticket for Kogi Central district while Joseph Erico defeated Jibrin Isah (Echocho) for Kogi East.

Sunday Karimi secured the party’s ticket for Kogi West for the 2027 general election.

At the eleventh hour to the party primaries, frontline contestants, Sam Aro and senator Smart Adeyemi announced their withdrawal from the contest, citing, “in the interest of the party” as their reason.

However, the unexpected loser in party’s primary in the state remains Senator Jibrin Isah (Echocho), representing Kogi East senatorial district.

Senator Echocho lost to a new comer, Joe Erico Ameh.

The senator who felt short-changed has petitioned the national working committee of the party, describing the election as a sham and a mockery of party guidelines and electoral procedures.

Akwa Ibom: Akpabio, Eno win

Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Governor Umo Eno, Senators Aniekan Bassey and Ekong Sampson all won the primaries in their respective districts.

While Umo Eno won the primaries for the governorship position, Godswill Akpabio won a return ticket to represent Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District, Aniekan Bassey won for Akwa Ibom North East, and Ekong Sampson won for Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District.

The four aspirants who were unopposed and emerged as consensus candidates for the party, would be returning for a second time if they win at the general elections, except for Akpabio who would be returning for third time.

Cross River: Williams couldn’t make it, Jarigbe clinches ticket

The senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District, Eteng Jonas Williams lost in last week’s APC primaries in the state.

He lost to the state’s commissioner for special duties, Oden Ewa.

Williams, is a former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, who was to return for a second term in the Senate.

However, the other two senators for northern and southern districts, Jarigbe Jarigbe and Asuquo Ekpenyong won their tickets.

Other major losers are; first timer at the House of Representatives, Bassey Akiba (Calabar Municipality/Odukpani), Emil Inyang (Biase/Akamkpa), Godwin Offiono (Yala/Ogoja), and Mike Etaba (Obubra/Etung).

Those who got APC tickets for election to return to Senate are senator Jarigbe and Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong.

Ekiti: Bamidele bounces back

Those who won their National Assembly election primaries in Ekiti State, are Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate Leader, Senator Fasuyi Cyril and Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Senate spokesman.

Reps from Ekiti, who won their re-election include Akintunde Rotimi, Reps spokesman, Olusola Fatoba and Olufemi Bamisile.

In Ekiti State, three House of Representatives members lost their primaries. They are; Omoleye Abiodun Francis, Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 2, Kolawole Davison Akinlayo, Ekiti North Federal Constituency 2 and Ojuawo Rufus Adeniyi, Ekiti South Federal Constituency 1.

At the State House of Assembly, former deputy Speaker, Jamiu Hakeem Ayodeji, lost his re-election to Ayo Fayose’s son, Boluwaji Fayose.

Wadada wins Nasarawa APC gov’ship primary

Senator Ahmed Aliyu Ahmed Wadada has been declared winner of the All Progressives Congress gubernatorial primary in Nasarawa State after polling 195,285 votes.

The result was announced by Theodore Bala, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Chairman of the APC Governorship Primary Elections Committee, who served as the returning officer for the May 21, 2026 exercise.

According to the declared results, former inspector general of police Muhammad Adamu Abubakar polled 39,675 votes, while EX-NASENI Executive Vice Chairman Professor Muhammad Sani Haruna scored 5,844 votes. Saka Labaran Yakubu got 396 votes, Dr. Liman Hassan Muhammad 863 votes, Dr. Fatima Abdullahi Adamu 136 votes, and Tanimo Adamu 64 votes.

“Senator Ahmed Aliyu Ahmed Wadada, having satisfied the requirements of the APC Constitution and Guidelines, and having scored the highest number of votes cast at this primaries, is hereby declared the winner of the primary elections and is returned elected and nominated as the party’s governorship candidate for Nasarawa State,” Bala said.

Wadada currently representing Nasarawa West in the Senate is the preferred candidate of Governor Abdullahi Sule.