APC Govs, Predecessors In Tight Senate Primary Contests Today

By Damilola Origbemisuyi, Akure; Alo Abiola; Patrick Ochoga, Benin City; Aza Msue, Kaduna; Femi Oyeweso, Abeokuta; Emmanuel Mgbeahurike; Babaji Usman Babaji; and Felix Igbekoyi, Asaba

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will hold its senatorial primaries today ahead of the 2027 general elections.

It is the second phase of the party’s primaries following Saturday’s House of Representatives contest.

The build-up to the APC senatorial primaries has generated heightened tension in some states more than others. While the nature of the tussles differs across the hotspot states, the eventual outcome of the primaries could, if not properly managed, affect the party’s standing ahead of the 2027 general elections.

At the centre of the disputes is opposition to consensus arrangements, usually proposed by state party leaderships and backed by governors.

In the states under focus, the key actors are largely incumbent governors, former governors, and current and former ranking senators, reflecting an intense grassroots power struggle.

The contests are also part of a broader political calculation for principal offices in the Red Chamber, as some of the aspirants are ranking lawmakers in the Senate.

All Eyes on Goje/Yahaya in Gombe

The senatorial primaries in Gombe State may be largely routine across Gombe North and Gombe South senatorial districts.

However, in Gombe Central, the contest has evolved into a major test of political influence between incumbent Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and former governor Muhammad Danjuma Goje.

Consensus arrangements appear to have gone largely unchallenged in Gombe North and Gombe South, with no serious rivals to the governor seeking the tickets, while Dr Jerry Damara has emerged as the consensus aspirant for Gombe South. Both the governor and Dr Damara are expected to challenge the two serving PDP senators in the 2027 elections.

But the atmosphere in Gombe Central remains tense after Goje rejected the APC’s consensus decision endorsing retired Deputy Commissioner of Police Mohammed Ahmed Deba as the preferred aspirant.

The disagreement has deepened the rift between Governor Yahaya and Goje, who is widely regarded as the governor’s former political benefactor.

In recent weeks, political meetings in Akko and Yamaltu/Deba local government areas have intensified, with pro-Goje groups insisting on continuity, while anti-Goje blocs backed by Governor Yahaya have pushed for a power shift to Yamaltu/Deba after nearly 16 years of representation by Akko LGA.

Although the governor and Senator Goje belong to different senatorial zones, analysts believe the agitation reflects a succession battle within the APC ahead of the 2027 elections and beyond.

Goje, who enjoys substantial support among constituents seeking his fifth term in the Senate, has insisted that only a lawful direct primary recognised by the Electoral Act can determine the party’s candidate, describing any attempt at imposition as undemocratic.

On the other hand, influential constituents backed by Governor Yahaya insist that only a power shift between the two LGAs can ensure fairness.

Saturday’s House of Representatives primaries may already have offered clues to today’s senatorial outcome. Across the six federal constituencies, aspirants earlier endorsed through the party’s consensus arrangement emerged victorious in Saturday’s direct primaries, reinforcing perceptions that the party hierarchy retains strong control over the process.

With influential interests aligning behind the consensus candidates, observers believe the odds may favour Deba.

However, many also argue that a defeat for Goje would rank among the biggest political upsets in Gombe APC history and could reshape political alignments ahead of 2027 and beyond.

Ondo Bigwigs Jostle for Senate Tickets

Across the three senatorial districts in Ondo State, anxiety continues to mount over who will clinch the APC tickets. The South-West state has remained in the spotlight following the rift between Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and several federal lawmakers.

The declaration by former Secretary to the Ondo State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, to contest the Ondo Central Senatorial seat has introduced a fresh political dimension to the district. Fasoranti is expected to face incumbent Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire, who is seeking re-election on the APC platform.

Fasoranti’s closeness to the state administration is seen as a major advantage, coupled with the fact that he is the son of the leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti.

Adegbonmire, meanwhile, is said to be close to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and is expected to rely on his legislative record and grassroots network within the district.

Political observers believe the contest between the two influential figures may test the state government’s political machinery against the influence of an established federal lawmaker.

In Ondo South, the declaration by APC National Vice Chairman (South-West), Hon. Isaac Kekemeke, has intensified political discussions within the ruling party. Kekemeke said his decision followed consultations with Governor Aiyedatiwa and party leaders across the state.

The contest is expected to become more competitive following the planned exit of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who resigned after being appointed Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Given that the senatorial district is oil-rich, many believe whoever secures the ticket may replace Ibrahim to complete his tenure before contesting in the 2027 elections.

Among those who have declared interest in the seat are former deputy governor and 2024 PDP governorship candidate, Agboola Ajayi; former Secretary to the State Government, Oladunni Odu; and Special Adviser to the governor, Simidele Odimayo, among others.

In Ondo North Senatorial District, the serving senator, Jide Ipinsagba, appears to enjoy limited support among constituents, especially youths, many of whom believe he has underperformed.

However, he remains a strong contender as the incumbent senator and hails from the Akoko axis, home area of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who wields considerable political influence in the state.

Battle for the Ekiti South Ticket

In Ekiti State, Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), Senator Yemi Adaramodu (Ekiti South), and Senator Cyril Fasuyi (Ekiti North) are all seeking return tickets to the Red Chamber.

For Senator Bamidele, the Ekiti Central ticket already appears secured following his endorsement by APC leaders in the district late last year as the party’s sole candidate, with the decision later ratified by stakeholders in Ado-Ekiti.

The situation differs for Adaramodu and Fasuyi.

Fasuyi faces only former lawmaker Senator Ayodele Arise, who represented Ekiti North years ago. However, Adaramodu will battle former Senate Minority Leader Senator Biodun Olujimi and former House of Representatives member Bamidele Faparusi for the Ekiti South ticket.

The process may favour Adaramodu if party members embrace Bamidele’s suggestion that all serving Ekiti federal lawmakers should be returned to the National Assembly.

Speaking at an enlarged APC stakeholders’ meeting in Iyin Ekiti last year, Bamidele argued that allowing federal lawmakers to complete another four-year term would position them as ranking legislators capable of attracting more benefits to the state.

Aside from this, Adaramodu’s role as Senate spokesman, his legislative record, constituency projects, alliance with former governor Kayode Fayemi, and closeness to Governor Biodun Oyebanji may strengthen his chances.

However, Olujimi’s entry into the race barely one year after defecting from the PDP to the APC is widely viewed as a major threat to Adaramodu’s re-election bid.

Olujimi is regarded as a grassroots politician with influence across the six local government areas in Ekiti South Senatorial District. Analysts also believe her defection may boost calls for greater women’s inclusion in politics.

Faparusi, a former House of Representatives member representing Gboyin, Emure and Ekiti East Federal Constituency, also enjoys significant grassroots support due to his contributions to constituency development.

As a former commissioner for public utilities and infrastructure, the trained engineer also leveraged his office to improve infrastructure and public services.

Edo South: Ize-Iyamu vs Imasuen

The contest for the APC ticket in Edo South Senatorial District appears to be the fiercest in the state. The battle has exposed emerging power blocs within the ruling party and is being viewed as a major political test for Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration.

At the centre of the contest is former APC governorship candidate Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who is locked in a high-stakes battle against forces believed to be aligned with the governor’s camp.

The race involves Ize-Iyamu, incumbent Senator Neda Imasuen, and Hon. Ogbeide Ihama, who is widely regarded as Governor Okpebholo’s preferred aspirant.

Political sources within the APC also claim Ihama enjoys tacit backing from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, further heightening tensions ahead of the primaries.

The decision by Ize-Iyamu to remain in the race despite pressure from influential party figures to step down has reportedly deepened divisions within Edo APC and polarised members along loyalty lines.

While the governor’s camp is believed to be mobilising support for Ihama, loyalists of Ize-Iyamu insist the former governorship candidate retains a formidable political structure across the seven local government areas in Edo South Senatorial District.

In a statement personally endorsed last week, Ize-Iyamu warned against manipulation of the primary process and urged party leaders to guarantee transparency and fairness.

He also cautioned against compelling appointees and stakeholders to support predetermined aspirants.

Political analysts, however, believe Senator Imasuen may face an uphill task in his bid for a second term, as he is widely perceived as the underdog in the unfolding contest.

Attention has also shifted to Edo North and Edo Central Senatorial Districts, where indications suggest former governor Adams Oshiomhole and Senator Joe Ikpea may emerge as consensus candidates following endorsements by party leaders.

Political stakeholders insist the outcome of the Edo South primary could significantly shape future political alignments and contests in Edo State.

“This is beyond a senatorial ticket. It is a battle for political relevance, structure and control ahead of future contests in Edo APC,” a party source said.

Kaduna

Three aspirants — former senator Shehu Sani, former Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly Yusuf Zailani, and President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum Yerima Shettima — were initially locked in a keen contest for the Kaduna Central Senatorial District ticket.