Winners and Losers in APC Primaries as Four Big Senators Lose

The All Progressives Congress has shaken up its Senate race for the 2027 general elections after its primaries on Monday, May 18.

The party’s ticket contests delivered wins for top figures like Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele.

At the same time, several sitting senators and political heavyweights lost their bids in contests that mixed direct voting, consensus and unopposed returns.

Akpabio won the Akwa Ibom North West ticket with 121,425 votes, while Barau emerged as the APC candidate for Kano North through a consensus process.

The screening and voting exercises also produced victories for sitting governors and former governors in different states.

Hope Uzodimma defeated Rochas Okorocha in Imo State, while Inuwa Yahaya emerged unopposed for Gombe North after a consensus arrangement.

Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun also secured their tickets, adding to the list of APC heavyweights who cleared the primary race.

Meanwhile, in Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole returned unopposed with 24,284 votes.

Heavyweights Who Fell

The most striking losses came in Delta, Gombe and Kogi, where several influential figures failed to hold their seats.

Ned Nwoko lost the Delta North ticket to former governor Ifeanyi Okowa, while Ovie Omo-Agege was beaten in Delta Central by Ede Dafinone.

In Gombe Central, Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje lost to retired DCP Mohammed Ahmed.

In Kogi East, Senator Jibrin Isah, also known as Echocho, lost to Dr Erico Ameh, while in Edo South, Senator Neda Imasuen was beaten by Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama.

The primary also produced an upset in Kaduna, where Shehu Sani won the Kaduna Central ticket with 9,105 votes.

His win came after a race that drew strong public interest because of his profile and past political activism.

The APC said the primaries showed both consensus politics and direct competition inside the party work.

However, the results also revealed renewed crisis in several states, especially where defeated aspirants rejected the outcome and alleged flaws in the process.

That dispute could shape the final list of APC senatorial candidates ahead of the 2027 election cycle.

The mix of victories and losses has now reset the balance of power inside the ruling party’s Senate structure.

Rate, Like 👍, Comment 💬, Share this article, Follow us on our social media handles, and Submit your own story to get featured and earn rewards!