Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday conducted governorship primary elections across several states, with many first-term governors emerging unopposed as the party’s flagbearers.
The exercise also saw outgoing governors successfully influencing the emergence of preferred successors through consensus arrangements in a number of states.
Governors who secured automatic return tickets to seek re-election on the APC platform include Dauda Lawal in Zamfara, Umaru Bago in Niger, Dikko Radda in Katsina, Nasir Idris in Kebbi, Ahmad Aliyu in Sokoto, Sheriff Oborevwori in Delta, Uba Sani in Kaduna, Umo Eno in Akwa Ibom, and Umar Namadi in Jigawa State.
In other states, APC stakeholders adopted consensus candidates ahead of the governorship elections. Those who emerged include Lagos Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, Senator Olamilekan Adeola in Ogun State, Kingsley Chinda in Rivers State, and Mustapha Gubio in Borno State.
In Rivers State, the emergence of Chinda followed the withdrawal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, businessman Tonye Cole, and Dakorinama George-Kelly from the contest, leaving him as the sole aspirant.
Despite the largely peaceful conduct of the primaries in many states, the process recorded setbacks in Oyo, Kwara, Bauchi and Taraba states.
The APC National Working Committee halted the Kwara governorship primary midway on Thursday and rescheduled the exercise for Friday.
In Taraba State, Governor Agbu Kefas faced stiff opposition from former Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, who demanded a transparent and credible process.
Party members in Bauchi State also protested alleged attempts to impose a candidate, insisting on a free and competitive primary election.
Following the controversies, the APC leadership postponed the Bauchi governorship primary to Friday. The party also approved the rescheduling of State House of Assembly primaries for Maradun I and Maradun II constituencies in Zamfara State to Sunday, May 24, 2026.
Confirming the development in a statement on Thursday, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka said the decisions were taken after consultations with stakeholders.
According to him, the move was aimed at ensuring “transparent, orderly, peaceful and credible primary election processes” across affected states.APC Primaries: Full List Of Governorship Candidates For 2027
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