APC SENATE PRIMARIES: Barau, Ndume, Bello, Aliero, Uzodimma, Abiodun, Okowa Win

By James Kwen, Samson Elijah, Felix Igbek Oyi, Damilola Origbemisuyi, Emmanuel Mgbeahurike, Nonye Ekwenugo, Alo Abiola, Aza Msue, James Kwen, Ibrahim Obansa, Patrick Ochoga, Babaji Usman Babaji; Khalid Idris Doya

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, his deputy Barau Jibrin, Ali Ndume, Ahmed Lawan, Opeyemi Bamidele, Orji Uzor Kalu, Ede Dafinone and Adamu Aliero were among prominent political figures who emerged victorious in the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primaries held across the country yesterday ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Others include former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, and former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

The exercise was, however, marred by violence, confusion, protests and allegations of manipulation in some states.

Earlier, the party disqualified 44 senatorial aspirants from contesting the primaries.

Violence Envelops Delta North, South APC Senatorial Primary Venues

Violence erupted yesterday in Delta North and Delta South senatorial districts during the APC primary elections.

The crisis was recorded at Ebe Primary School, Ovrode, in Isoko North Local Government Area, and Idumuje-Uno in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.

In Idumuje-Uno, a man identified simply as Ernest was stabbed in the back and is currently battling for his life at a hospital where he was rushed for treatment.

Trouble reportedly started when a struggle broke out over result sheets among youths in Ward 8, allegedly loyal to Ernest and a councillor, Anselm.

“The struggle for the result sheet escalated into an argument, and Ernest was stabbed in the back,” an eyewitness said.

The incident triggered panic among party members gathered for the exercise.

At Ovrode, armed youths reportedly stormed the venue and opened fire, causing panic during the exercise.

Several participants were said to have sustained injuries in the ensuing stampede and gunfire.

Ovie Umuakpo, Executive Assistant to Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, reportedly escaped a mob attack following the alleged invasion.

The injured were taken to a nearby government hospital in Ofagbe community.

A party member said the violence was linked to a power struggle between the State Commissioner for Health, Joseph Onojaeme, and the governor’s aide, Umuakpo.

Another source said the crisis was triggered by the relocation of the venue from Ellu to the Isoko North Council Secretariat, Ozoro.

However, a resident of Ozoro described the incident as a supremacy battle between political interests.

According to an eyewitness: “As we gathered, armed youths invaded the venue and started shooting. People resisted, and several persons were injured as everyone ran for safety.”

He added that the invasion was unexpected and that community youths resisted the attackers.

Ovie Umuakpo, however, denied involvement in the alleged invasion.

“I did not invade Ovrode. I went there to clarify why the venue was changed from Ellu to Ovrode. We were attacked on arrival, and my boys were injured as well,” he said.

Attempts to reach the State Commissioner for Health were unsuccessful.

Voting was concluded in some wards, with results being collated at the senatorial centre in Oleh, Isoko South LGA. Normalcy was later restored at the venues.

…Dafinone, Okowa Win in Central and North as Joel-Onowakpo Leads in South

Meanwhile, Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Ede Dafinone, has emerged victorious in the APC senatorial primary election for Delta Central, defeating former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege by a landslide margin.

Also, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa won in Delta North, beating incumbent Senator Ned Nwoko. Okowa polled 113,309 votes to defeat Nwoko, who scored 2,612 votes, while Mariam Ali secured 40 votes.

The primaries were conducted using the direct primary system under Option A4, with voting held across all wards in the eight local government areas that make up the senatorial district. The exercise witnessed massive participation by party members and was widely described as credible, peaceful and transparent.

Announcing the results, Secretary of the APC National Assembly Primary Committee, Barr. Nusa Amagbor, said Senator Dafinone polled an overwhelming 116,252 votes to defeat Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, who secured 3,643 votes.

He said: “Party stakeholders in Delta Central, our proceedings here today have been peaceful, and we sincerely thank you all for your cooperation and orderly conduct throughout this exercise.

“As you are aware, the election was conducted through the direct primary method, which has consistently been adopted for all our elections in Delta State, including those for the House of Representatives and the Senate.

“At this stage, we are no longer collating results but making an official declaration, as the process has been duly concluded.

“By the powers conferred on me as Secretary of the National Assembly Electoral Committee for Delta State, duly constituted by our National Chairman and the National Working Committee, I hereby affirm that the exercise has been successfully conducted.

“Based on the authenticated results before me, Senator Ede Dafinone scored a total of 116,252 votes, while his opponent scored 3,643 votes.

“Having satisfied all the requirements of our great party and secured the highest number of valid votes cast in this primary, Senator Ede Dafinone is hereby declared the winner of the Delta Central Senatorial District primary election.”

Announcing the results from Delta North, the returning officer, Mr Eugene Odo, said that, having satisfied all the requirements of the party and secured the highest number of valid votes cast in the primary, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa “is hereby declared the winner of the Delta North Senatorial District primary election”.

Meanwhile, in Delta South Senatorial District, incumbent Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas is leading in six of the eight local government areas in the senatorial district.

The results were announced in the presence of INEC officials who monitored the exercise.

Reacting after he was declared winner amid jubilation, Senator Ede Dafinone commended the process and thanked the people of Delta Central for the confidence reposed in him once again.

He said: “What is my comment and assessment of the election, and what is my overall take? First of all, let me say that the process of the primaries was conducted in a manner that was transparent, open, free and fair. Delta Central is, of course, a highly political terrain, and I want to use this opportunity to thank all those who supported me throughout our great party in achieving this victory today.

“I will also take this opportunity to call on Distinguished Senator Ovie Omo-Agege to join forces with other members of our party so that we can work together for victory in 2027 across all positions.”

Gunshots, Chaos Rock Ondo APC Senatorial Primary

Chaos erupted during the APC senatorial primary for Ondo Central Senatorial District as suspected thugs disrupted the exercise with sporadic gunfire at Ward 5, Ebenezer African Church Primary School, Akure.

Party members, journalists and residents fled for safety as voting was ongoing at the venue, which also serves as the polling unit of incumbent Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire.

Other aspirants include former Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Fasoranti, and retired military officer, Olumuyiwa Adu.

Armed youths reportedly stormed the venue, firing shots into the air, forcing pupils and teachers in nearby schools to evacuate.

Journalists and supporters scaled fences to escape the chaos.

Adegbonmire described the exercise as “a charade”, alleging deliberate violence aimed at suppressing his supporters.

He also claimed attackers shot at his vehicle, leaving bullet marks.

Another aspirant, Adu, also dismissed the exercise as a sham.

The Ondo State Police Command later restored order in Akure.

Police spokesperson, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, said the incident was not an armed robbery attack but involved suspected political thugs.

He confirmed that normalcy had returned and urged residents to remain calm.

Gombe Central: Goje Loses APC Ticket, Gov Yahaya Hails Turnout

Former Gombe State governor and Senator representing Gombe Central, Danjuma Goje, has lost his bid to secure another senatorial ticket under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Political observers in the state described the development as a major political victory for Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s camp ahead of the 2027 elections.

Retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Ahmadu, emerged winner of the APC primary for Gombe Central Senatorial District, defeating the incumbent senator.

Dr Habu Dahiru, the Returning Officer of the election, announced that Ahmed polled 42,785 votes against Senator Goje, who garnered 10,425 votes.

The development confirms earlier political analyses that the APC primaries in Gombe Central will be a power struggle between Governor Yahaya and Senator Goje over control of the party structure and succession politics in the state.

Senator Goje was absent, while aspirants and stakeholders aligned with the governor’s camp participated in the exercise.

The APC had earlier adopted Mohammed Ahmadu as consensus candidate for Gombe Central — a move widely viewed as a direct challenge to Goje’s re-election ambition.

Speaking shortly after the exercise at his ward in Jekadafari, Gombe Local Government Area, Governor Yahaya described the primaries as peaceful, commending the turnout of party members.

Incumbent Senator Kaila Loses Bauchi North Ticket, Shehu Wins Bauchi South

Former House of Representatives member, Hon. Yakubu Abdullahi Shehu, has emerged winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Bauchi South Senatorial District.

The result was announced on Monday in Bauchi by the Chairman of the National Assembly Primary Election Committee for Bauchi State, Brig. Gen. Saidu Abdulhameed (retd), after the collation of results.

According to him, five aspirants contested the primary election, in which Yakubu Abdullahi Shehu secured 25,762 votes to defeat his closest rivals: Brig. Gen. Abubakar Suleiman (retd), who polled 6,870 votes; Hon. Shehu Aliyu, who got 6,448 votes; Hon. Kundak Abdulmuminu, who scored 4,125 votes; and Ibrahim Ali Usman, who received 4,922 votes.

“Accordingly, Yakubu Shehu Abdullahi, having satisfied all the requirements of the constitution and guidelines and secured the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner of the primary election for the Bauchi South Senatorial District,” Abdulhameed declared.

In the Bauchi North Senatorial District, the incumbent Senator Sama’ila Dawuwa Kaila lost his bid to secure the APC ticket for another term.

Announcing the results, Brig. Gen. Saidu Abdulhameed (retd), said three persons participated in the contest.

Senator Kaila scored 12,912 votes, Ibrahim Mohammed Baba polled 22,764 votes, while Sirajo Ibrahim Tanku secured 5,202 votes.

“Therefore, Ibrahim Mohammed Baba, having satisfied the requirements and scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner of the primary election for the Bauchi North Senatorial District,” he stated.

Similarly, in the APC primary election for the Bauchi Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives, five aspirants contested for the ticket.

According to the committee chairman, Idris Isa Yuguda scored 4,083 votes, Salisu Sabo polled 1,410 votes, Badi’atu Inuwa secured 1,350 votes, Jibrin Abdullahi Sirajo garnered 13,190 votes, while Muhammad Mustapha received 1,140 votes.

Abdulhameed subsequently declared Jibrin Abdullahi Sirajo as the winner of the primary election.

“Accordingly, Jibrin Abdullahi Sirajo, having satisfied the requirements of the party’s constitution and guidelines and secured the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner of the primary election for the Bauchi Federal Constituency,” he said.

Uzodimma Floors Okorocha, Clinches APC Senate Ticket with 230,464 Votes

Governor Hope Uzodimma has emerged as the APC candidate for Imo West Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The result was announced at the collation centre in Orlu Local Government Area by Rear Admiral Williams Kayode (retd).

Uzodimma polled 230,464 votes across the 12 local government areas of Orlu Zone.

His closest challenger, Rochas Okorocha, polled 1,098 votes.

The result underscores Uzodimma’s strong influence in the zone.

Edo Senate: Confusion as Ize-Iyamu, Ogbeide-Ihama Declare Victory

Confusion on Monday engulfed the Edo South Senatorial primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as both Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama separately laid claim to victory following conflicting declarations by rival electoral officials.

The two parallel results emerged from the exercise conducted across the 77 wards in the seven local government areas that make up the Edo South Senatorial District.

While the chairman of one faction of the electoral committee, Kabiru Ajana, declared Ogbeide-Ihama winner of the exercise, another returning officer, Muhammadu Kabiru, announced Ize-Iyamu as the party’s candidate.

Party faithful had earlier turned out in large numbers across the district to participate in the keenly contested primary involving Ize-Iyamu, Senator Neda Imasuen and Ogbeide-Ihama.

However, the exercise, which was largely peaceful, recorded some skirmishes in parts of Ikpoba-Okha, Uhunmwode and Oredo Local Government Areas, as supporters of the various aspirants clashed over the conduct of the process.

Announcing the first set of results during a live broadcast, Ajana declared Ogbeide-Ihama the winner, saying he polled the highest votes across the seven local government areas.

According to him, “From the results submitted to the committee, Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama scored 27,154 votes to emerge winner of the Edo South Senatorial primary.”

He added that Senator Neda Imasuen polled 13,580 votes, while Ize-Iyamu garnered 6,785 votes.

However, in a counter-declaration that immediately sparked confusion within party ranks, Muhammadu Kabiru announced a different outcome, declaring Ize-Iyamu the winner.

Kabiru said, “Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, having scored the highest number of lawful votes cast, is hereby returned elected.”

He stated that Ize-Iyamu polled 33,399 votes to defeat Ogbeide-Ihama, who allegedly scored 12,560 votes, while Imasuen polled 5,107 votes.

The parallel declarations have since heightened tension within the party.

Both Ize-Iyamu and Imasuen had earlier raised concerns over the conduct of the primary, alleging irregularities capable of undermining its credibility.

Reacting after the exercise, Ize-Iyamu expressed appreciation to his supporters for their commitment.

“I thank our supporters across Edo South for their steadfastness and commitment. This victory is for the people, and by the grace of God, we shall proceed to the general election and offer quality representation,” he said.