APC Primaries: 47 Disqualified, Governors, Heavyweight Senators Emerge Winners; Big Names Suffer Upsets

By Fatima Saka

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has disqualified 47 senatorial aspirants ahead of its primaries for the 2027 general elections, as the party’s internal contests produced a mix of dominant victories by governors and major upsets involving high-profile politicians.

The disqualifications were announced in Abuja by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, following the conclusion of its screening exercise. The APC said those affected failed to meet its guidelines, although it did not disclose specific reasons.

Among those initially listed were former Bayelsa East senator, Ben Murray-Bruce; former FCT aspirant, Usman J. Wowo; and Rivers politician, Tamunobaabo Wemike Danagogo. However, the party later revised the list, removing some names—raising concerns over transparency.

Field reports indicate that the APC has largely concluded its senatorial primaries, coming days after its House of Representatives primaries held on May 16, 2026. The exercise has reshaped the party’s political landscape ahead of 2027.

Governors, Political Heavyweights Dominate

The primaries saw sitting governors and top APC figures emerge as clear winners, underscoring their influence within the party.

Governors Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and Hope Uzodinma (Imo) secured their senatorial tickets in decisive fashion. Abiodun clinched the Ogun East ticket, effectively displacing former governor and incumbent senator, Gbenga Daniel. In Imo, Uzodinma defeated former governor Rochas Okorocha to win the Imo West ticket.

Other sitting governors who secured tickets include Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), and Mai Mala Buni (Yobe).

Immediate past governors also recorded major victories. Former Delta State governor Ifeanyi Okowa defeated incumbent senator Ned Nwoko in Delta North by a wide margin, while former Kogi governor Yahaya Bello cruised to victory in Kogi Central, polling 72,399 votes against his challengers.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio emerged unopposed in Akwa Ibom North West, while former Kaduna senator Shehu Sani staged a comeback, reclaiming the Kaduna Central ticket after his 2023 loss.

In the Federal Capital Territory, former senator Philip Aduda secured the APC ticket unopposed for the lone senatorial seat, with strong backing reportedly linked to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

Other notable winners include Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, former Abia governor Orji Uzor Kalu, former Edo governor Adams Oshiomhole, and former Senate Majority Leader Ali Ndume.

Major Upsets and Controversies

Despite the dominance of incumbents and governors, the primaries delivered significant upsets.

Former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege lost the Delta Central ticket to incumbent senator Ede Dafinone, who secured 116,252 votes against Omo-Agege’s 3,643 votes, according to results endorsed by party leadership.

However, Omo-Agege rejected the outcome, claiming victory in a statement on social media. He insisted that collated results from all 85 wards showed he won “decisively,” thanking supporters for what he described as an overwhelming mandate.

Former Bayelsa East senator Ben Murray-Bruce also failed in his comeback bid. Although his name was initially included among disqualified aspirants and later removed, he ultimately lost the primary election, which was won by Israel Sunny-Goli.

In Delta North, incumbent senator Ned Nwoko suffered a landslide defeat to Ifeanyi Okowa, polling just 2,612 votes against Okowa’s 113,039. Political observers attribute Nwoko’s loss partly to the absence of backing from Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

In Edo South, a fierce contest saw incumbent senator Neda Imasuen and APC chieftain Osagie Ize-Iyamu both lose to former House of Representatives member Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama.

Disqualifications Spark Reactions

Some of the most controversial outcomes stemmed from the screening process itself.

In Rivers State, former deputy governor and serving senator Ipalibo Banigo-Harry was disqualified at the screening stage, a development that drew sharp criticism. She described the decision as “injustice to women,” insisting she was qualified to contest and vowing to appeal directly to President Bola Tinubu and the APC National Executive Committee.

Similarly, businessman and former presidential aspirant Tein Jack-Rich was among those who failed to pass the screening, surprising many within the party.

Former governors Gbenga Daniel and Rochas Okorocha also found themselves on the losing end of the process, having contested against sitting governors. Daniel eventually withdrew from the race, citing alleged plans to unleash violence on his supporters.

Winners and Losers Shape 2027 Outlook

Across states including Adamawa, Oyo, Rivers, and Zamfara, the primaries produced a clear divide between winners consolidating power and losers grappling with political setbacks.

Zamfara recorded the highest number of disqualified aspirants, while several states witnessed multiple high-profile exits either through screening or at the ballot.

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With the primaries concluded, attention now shifts to potential fallout, as aggrieved aspirants consider legal challenges or political realignments.

The APC is expected to finalize its list of candidates in the coming weeks as it prepares for the 2027 general elections, amid heightened scrutiny over its internal processes and the growing influence of incumbency in its candidate selection.