Ahead of the APC senatorial primaries, last-minute consultations and political negotiations intensified across several states as governors, serving senators, and party heavyweights positioned themselves for tickets ahead of the 2027 elections.
The contest is expected to be keenly fought in districts including Ogun East, Ogun West, Delta North, Delta Central, Kano Central, Edo South, Gombe Central, and Ekiti North.
Five outgoing governors seeking Senate seats are Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara Central), Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa North), Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa North), Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni (Yobe East), and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun (Ogun East).
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, whose tenure extends beyond 2027, has also obtained the senatorial form for Imo West and is expected to contest alongside former governor Rochas Okorocha following Senator Osita Izunaso’s withdrawal.
While AbdulRazaq, Fintiri, Buni, and Sule emerged as consensus candidates in their districts, Abiodun is set for a contest with former Ogun governor and senator, Gbenga Daniel, in Ogun East.
Several principal officers of the Senate, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom North-West), Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin (Kano North), Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), and former Edo governor Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North), are expected to emerge unopposed.
Meanwhile, major contests are expected in Delta North between Senator Ned Nwoko and former Delta governor Ifeanyi Okowa, while Delta Central will witness a battle between former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege and incumbent Senator Ede Dafinone.
In Kano Central, former Kano governor Ibrahim Shekarau is emerging as the preferred candidate following consultations among aspirants and party stakeholders.
The APC said direct primaries would be conducted in districts where consensus arrangements fail, with party members and aspirants expressing concerns over potential disputes in some states.
