By David Lawani, Abuja
Consensus arrangements, strategic withdrawals and affirmation votes shaped Thursday’s All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries across the country as governors and entrenched party structures tightened their grip ahead of the 2027 general elections.
From Lagos to Sokoto, Kaduna to Kebbi, most of the exercises were dominated by consensus candidates. They carefully managed endorsements designed to avoid internal crises, while negotiations and succession calculations lingered in a few battleground states.
In Lagos State, Deputy Governor Dr Obafemi Hamzat emerged unopposed as the APC governorship candidate after securing affirmation votes across the 11 wards in Agege Local Government Area.
The exercise, held at the Agege Stadium, saw Hamzat polling 14,053 votes as the sole aspirant in the contest.
Returning Officer Debola Ladigbolu announced the result, while Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Dr Mudashiru Obasa, commended party members for the orderly conduct of the exercise.
Obasa praised the APC structure in Agege for sustaining peaceful coexistence and political stability within the party.
In Rivers, Kingsley Chinda emerged as the APC governorship candidate.
The announcement was made by Bitrus Kwamoti, the chairman of the party’s governorship primary election committee and returning officer, during a press conference in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
Kwamoti shared the results at the APC Secretariat in Port Harcourt after receiving the primary election outcomes from collation officers representing the 23 local government areas of the state.
He stated, “I, Kwamoti Bitrus, chairman of the Governorship Primary Election Committee, hereby certify that I am the Returning Officer for the Rivers State Governorship Primary Election held on this day, the 21st day of May, 2026.
“The name of the aspirant, which is the sole aspirant, is Chinda Ogundu Kingsley. He scored a total of 268,497 votes.
“Ogundu Kinsley, having satisfied the requirements of the APC constitution and guidelines and scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner of the primary election and is, in return, elected as the party’s governorship candidate for Rivers State.”
In Niger State, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago also emerged unopposed after delegates unanimously adopted him as the APC governorship candidate during the primary election at the party secretariat in Minna.
Chairman of the electoral committee, Danlami Abubakar, said Bago fulfilled all constitutional requirements and enjoyed overwhelming support from party stakeholders across the state.
Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, who moved the motion for Bago’s adoption, said the governor had demonstrated commitment to development, unity and inclusive governance.
In Kaduna State, Governor Uba Sani secured 459,393 affirmation votes during the APC governorship primary monitored by party officials and representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Chairman of the Kaduna APC Governorship Primary Election Committee, Hafiz Kawu, described the exercise as peaceful and transparent, saying the outcome reflected growing unity within the party.
Sani said the endorsement represented a renewed mandate to deepen inclusive governance and strengthen development efforts across Kaduna State.
“We have made significant progress in restoring peace, strengthening unity and expanding development across Kaduna State,” the governor stated.
Jigawa State also recorded a smooth affirmation exercise, with Governor Umar Namadi emerging as the APC consensus candidate during voting at the Dutse Township Stadium.
Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Isa Sadik-Achida, said the exercise complied with APC guidelines and provisions of the Electoral Act.
Namadi attributed the successful consensus arrangement to consultations among party elders and stakeholders across the state.
In Sokoto State, Governor Ahmed Aliyu was affirmed as the APC governorship candidate under the supervision of officials from the party’s national headquarters and INEC.
Leader of the national delegation, Muktari Birniwa, described the process as peaceful, transparent and credible.
Former governor and Senator Aliyu Wamakko said the turnout reflected the confidence residents had in his administration and development agenda.
“The overwhelming turnout and support clearly reflected the confidence the people have in the governor’s leadership,” Wamakko said.
Aliyu pledged to intensify security, infrastructure, healthcare and empowerment programmes if re-elected.
Borno State also witnessed a tightly controlled process as APC stakeholders rallied behind Mustapha Gubio during the governorship affirmation exercise in Maiduguri.
Governor Babagana Zulum praised President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima for fostering unity within the APC and ensuring a rancour-free exercise.
Vice President Shettima urged party members to remain united after the primaries.
“There is no victor, no vanquished in this contest,” he declared.
In Kebbi State, Governor Nasir Idris emerged as the APC governorship candidate after delegates from the state’s 225 wards unanimously endorsed him during the primary election in Birnin Kebbi.
Chairman of the APC primary committee, Abdulmalik Mahmud, said party members had “spoken with one voice” in support of the governor.
Kano State also recorded a consensus arrangement as APC stakeholders endorsed Governor Abba Yusuf during a congress at the Sani Abacha Stadium.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin said Yusuf’s leadership and development policies justified the endorsement for a second term.
In Zamfara State, Governor Dauda Lawal received affirmation from APC delegates in Gusau, where he pledged to sustain efforts to improve security, healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
“There is no more faction in the APC or any other party that I can see. This is a very good sign,” Lawal said.
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun said the APC had emerged “stronger and more united” after deploying consultations and consensus-building mechanisms to manage over 700 aspirants seeking elective offices.
According to Abiodun, extensive consultations among party leaders helped reduce tension and preserve internal cohesion within the ruling party.
In Ebonyi State, Governor Francis Nwifuru coasted to victory after emerging as the only aspirant screened by the APC ahead of the primaries.
Benue and Yobe States also witnessed strong control by party structures loyal to Governors Hyacinth Alia and Mai Mala Buni, with consensus negotiations helping to avert confrontations among rival blocs.
Cross River, Delta and Akwa Ibom similarly recorded extensive consultations among party stakeholders seeking to consolidate political gains and avoid factional disputes ahead of the 2027 elections.
Taraba remained one of the more closely watched states as prolonged negotiations among aspirants continued late into the evening before voting commenced.
*Kwara, Bauchi postpone exercise amid succession calculations
Meanwhile, the APC National Working Committee postponed the Kwara governorship primary election to Friday (today) amid intense succession calculations surrounding Ambassador Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki, believed to be the preferred successor of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
At least eight governorship aspirants reportedly stepped down in favour of Seriki after a strategic stakeholders’ meeting aimed at preserving party unity and ensuring continuity.
Despite isolated complaints and reports of withdrawals in some states, APC returning officers repeatedly described the nationwide exercises as peaceful, orderly and transparent.
