APC gov’ship primaries: Fubara withdraws as aspirants battle in 8 states

The battle for the governorship tickets of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has narrowed down to eight states, following the withdrawal of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, from the governorship race. Governor Fubara, in a statement he personally signed on Wednesday night, titled, “My decision to withdraw from the Rivers State Gubernatorial Primaries” stated that […]

The battle for the governorship tickets of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has narrowed down to eight states, following the withdrawal of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, from the governorship race.

Governor Fubara, in a statement he personally signed on Wednesday night, titled, “My decision to withdraw from the Rivers State Gubernatorial Primaries” stated that he will support whoever emerges as the candidate of the party.

He said: “After deep reflection and extensive consultations with my family, friends, and associates, I have taken the difficult but necessary decision to withdraw from the APC gubernatorial primaries. I do so with a full heart and with a firm commitment to support whoever emerges as the candidate of our great party.”

Our correspondent reports that the odds now favour Kingsley Chinda, as Tonye Cole has also withdrawn from race, though another aspirant, Alabo George Kelly is still in the race. 

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The continuous altercation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike and Fubara marred the chances of his return for a second term as it is believed that he agreed at one of the peace meetings, to do only one term. Aside that the governor does not appear to enjoy the same status as other governors of the APC. Even after his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC, he was not formally received into the ruling party like his counterparts.

With the withdrawal of Fubara from the governorship race, the focus has shifted to Kwara, Gombe, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Bauchi, Oyo, Ogun and Yobe states where the candidates would be elected through voting as consensus arrangements have failed.

The 2026 Electoral Act provides for two modes of primaries: consensus or direct polls. APC leaders including governors have shown their preference for consensus and have used the method to pick their preferred successors.

This, however, has not gone down well with some of the aspirants who rejected the choices and expressed readiness to go the whole hog in open contests.

Our correspondents report that the other states where the governors are seeking second terms would be decided mainly by consensus as most of them are standing unopposed.

In this category are Governors Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Dikko Radda (Katsina), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Ahmed Aliyu (Sokoto), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Mohammed Umar Bago (Niger), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), and Peter Mbah (Enugu) who have all been adopted as the party’s consensus candidates ahead of the exercise.

A party source confirmed that while some states failed to agree on a consensus, the national leadership has directed that direct primaries be conducted in those areas.

The source also confirmed that several aspirants have contacted the party secretariat to express concerns over how certain state governors are handling the process.

He noted that the party has already set up primary appeal committees to review these complaints, reassuring stakeholders that justice will be done.

The committees, he added, are expected to begin sitting on May 24.

The party official added that the Governorship Electoral Committees have since departed for their respective states with all necessary electoral materials.

In Bauchi, no agreement yet

The battle for the APC gubernatorial ticket in Bauchi State intensified as seven gubernatorial aspirants failed to reach a consensus.

They are expected to battle for the APC ticket today. The gubernatorial primaries is now a battle between former Governor Muhammad Abdullahi Abubakar,  against frontline aspirants like former Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Dr Bala Wunti, Dr Nura Manu Soro. Others are Alhaji Kabiru Baba Maji,Baba Abubakar Sulaiman and Yakubu Yakubu Abdullahi.

A public affairs analyst and lecturer at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Dr Aminu Makama Ilelah said there is no doubt that the current political atmosphere is becoming heated, particularly because Bauchi is entering a very competitive political season.

“The APC governorship primary is attracting strong interests from different blocs and political heavyweights, so naturally tensions will rise.

“But the danger is when political competition becomes too emotional or divisive. If not carefully managed, it can polarize supporters along factional, local government, or even senatorial lines. That may increase political hostility and weaken peaceful political engagement.

“What happened in some parts of Bauchi, during the APC primaries has already exposed underlying divisions within the party. We saw allegations of irregularities, complaints about lack of transparency, and even situations where multiple aspirants claimed victory. Those are usually signs of internal distrust,” he said.

Adamawa aspirants hold on to their positions

In Adamawa State, the governorship aspirants have been compelled to go for direct primaries due to their inability to agree on a particular candidate and refusal to step down in favour of any among them.

Those in the race are  Tijjani Ahmad Galadima, Abdulrahaman Haske, Salihu Bakari Girei, Aminu lya Abbas, Bello Thul, Salihu Mustapha and.Abdulrazak Namdas.

Reports has it that due to the clash of interest between the National Security Adviser,Nuhu Ribadu and Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri over who should be the anointed candidate in Adamawa, several meetings were held both in Yola and Abuja to resolve the matter but all efforts were fruitless.

There are reports that promises were made to many by political leaders in the state as has been the practice in the Nigerian political space which worsened the crisis.

Dispute over Wadada’s endorsement lingers

Governor Abdullahi Sule’s endorsement of Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada as the APC candidate for the 2027 Nasarawa governorship is facing mounting resistance, exposing a widening rift within the state chapter of the party.

The crisis, which has unsettled the APC’s succession plan, stems from divisions over elite consensus, zoning, and trust in the primary process.

The opposition has gained momentum as ex-IGP Adamu, former NASENI Executive Vice Chairman Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna, and  Hassan Liman, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, purchased gubernatorial forms to challenge Sule’s preferred candidate. 

Leading the opposition is ex-IGP Adamu, now with the backing of former Governor Tanko Al-Makura. Challenging them are Prof. Haruna, Hassan Liman SAN, former Attorney General, Tanimu Adamson, former Accountant General, Zakka Ledkwi Yakubu, and the only female aspirant, Fatima Abdullahi.

At the grassroots, supporters and sympathisers are split between those backing Sule’s “Muje Maha” unity push and those rallying behind Al-Makura and Adamu’s alliance.

Political observers say the rift, if unresolved, could produce a fractured primary that weakens the APC ahead of 2027.

With Al-Makura’s backing, Adamu’s camp has gained organisational strength and visibility, giving the challenge more weight within the party.

Yobe: Consensus candidate to face 3 aspirants

The All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship election in Yobe State, Alhaji Baba Malam Wali, will today face three others aspirants.

The aspirants are former Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Engr. Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja; Bashir Machina; and Barrister Kashim Musa Tumsah.

The aspirants insisted on the conduct of direct primaries in line with the Electoral Act 2026 and APC guidelines.

Earlier, the number of aspirants was six, but following consultations and the intervention of Vice President Kashim Shettima and Governor Mai Mala Buni, the number was reduced to three.

Speaking at a press briefing in Damaturu, the aspirants demanded the conduct of free, fair, and transparent primary elections.

They said the imposition of any candidate would violate the APC constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act.

In Taraba, ex-minister, Muazu Jaji confronts Gov Kefas

Former Minister of Transport Muazu Jaji will face Governor Agbu Kefas in today’s  APC governorship primaries in Taraba State.

Initially, three persons; former Minister of Power, Sale Mamman, Chief David Sabo Kente and the former Minister of Transport Alhaji Muazu Jaji, were in the governorship race, but Sale Mamman was convicted by a Federal High Court for fraud and money laundering, while Chief David Sabo Kente announced his withdrawal from the race, Wednesday.

Kente expressed disappointment over what happened during the party primaries for National Assembly tickets, alleging that some aspirants were unduly favoured.

Muazu Jaji is now the only aspirant to challenge the incumbent governor during the primaries.

The former minister entered Jalingo, the Taraba State capital yesterday and addressed his supporters where he insisted on contesting for the governorship ticket.

He said there must be internal democracy in the All Progressives Congress, where all those going into the  party primaries are given a level playing ground.

11 battle for Oyo APC gov ticket; 2 in Ogun

Barring last minutes changes, 11 aspirants who obtained expression of interest and nomination forms on the platform of the APC will battle for the 2027 governorship ticket of the party in Oyo State today.

Daily Trust reports that eight of the aspirants are from Ibadan, the state capital, while two are from the Oke Ogun axis and one from Ogbomoso.

Those who have reportedly undergone screening by the party in Abuja, include Senator Sharafadeen Alli, Bayo Adelabu, Dr Adewale Kareem, Barrister Akeem Agbaje and Engineer Akeem Alao, all from Ibadan.

Others from the Ibadan axis are Dr Ayobami Lam-Adesina, Prince Asanke Asatola and Mr Ololade Usman.

Other contenders are Senator Abdulfatai Buhari from Ogbomoso, alongside Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin and former deputy governor, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan, both from Oke Ogun.

According to analysts, the dominance of Ibadan aspirants reflects the historical pattern of governorship leadership in the state since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

Except for the late former governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala, who hailed from Ogbomoso, all governors produced by the state since 1999, have emerged from Ibadan.

A former governor, the late Lamidi Adesina, governed the state between 1999 and 2003, while the current Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, ruled between 2003 and 2007.

Alao-Akala governed the state from 2007 to 2011, before the late Abiola Ajimobi served two terms between 2011 and 2019.

Incumbent governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, who is expected to complete his second term in 2027, also hails from the Ibadan axis.

There are speculations that Alli has been picked by President Bola Tinubu as the candidate. Leaders and stakeholders of the APC are also said to be behind Alli as the party’s consensus governorship candidate ahead of the primary election.

Adelabu, who resigned his position as the Minister of Power, had publicly declared that he has Tinubu’s blessings to run the race.

Ogun: Yayi vs Hunye

In Ogun State, leaders of the APC, including Governor Dapo Abiodun had unanimously adopted the Senator representing Ogun West, Solomon Adeola (Yayi) as the consensus governorship candidate ahead of the election.

The decision was taken at the APC strategic caucus meeting held at the party’s secretariat in Abeokuta, last month.

The meeting attracted all three former governors, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

Also in attendance were APC gubernatorial aspirants, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, Gboyega Isiaka, Tunde Lemo and Isiak Akinlade.

The governor announced the resolution after the meeting which lasted for about two hours.

However, many were shocked when another governorship aspirant on the platform of the party, Abayomi Hunye, obtained governorship nomination forms.

Like Yayi, Hunye hails from Ogun West, the region that has not produced a governor since the creation of Ogun State in 1976.

He insisted on participating in the primary despite the consensus agreement.

However, there was a report that the Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had approved the suspension of Hunye,  from his Tube Ward in Ipokia Local Government Area of the state.

Reacting two days ago,  Hunye denied reports that he stepped down from the race or was suspended from the party.

His insistence may force the ruling party to go for direct primaries today (Thursday) to elect the governorship candidate, ahead of next election.

‘APC risks anti-party activities’

A political scientist and analyst, Professor Abubakar Kari, has warned that the growing rejection of consensus arrangements by aspirants of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in some states could fuel anti-party activities and weaken both the party and Nigeria’s democracy.

Kari said the manner in which the consensus arrangements were being implemented in many states  left several aspirants feeling cheated, intimidated and unfairly excluded from the process.

Speaking in an interview with our correspondent, Kari said, “That’s why I say generally, this kind of situation does not bode well for democracy and the APC. First and foremost, it has created a lot of disenchantment within the ranks of the political class themselves. Many of them are angry, and we know what angry politicians can do”.

He warned that the situation could deepen anti-party activities within the ruling party.

“As a matter of fact, the phenomenon of anti-party activities has virtually become institutionalised. As a result of the amendment to the Electoral Act now, it is impossible for somebody to switch to another party. But APC should be very, very careful. Those people may decide to stay and play the role of Trojan horses, that is, to work against the party from within,” he said.

According to him, many aspirants who had spent years campaigning and mobilising support now feel shortchanged after being allegedly denied fair contests.