The APC governorship primaries 2026 have produced 23 candidates ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, following a series of contests, consensus arrangements, withdrawals, and protests across the country. While most incumbent governors secured their party tickets without difficulty, the primaries generated significant attention due to the withdrawal of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and a protest by former minister Ali Pantami in Gombe State.
The ruling All Progressives Congress concluded governorship primaries in 28 states, although voting was postponed or remained incomplete in several locations due to logistical and political challenges.
The party did not conduct primaries in eight states with off-cycle governorship elections, including:
- Anambra
- Bayelsa
- Edo
- Ekiti
- Imo
- Kogi
- Ondo
- Osun
Meanwhile, primaries in Kwara and Bauchi were postponed after party leaders failed to agree on consensus arrangements. Nasarawa also experienced delays due to the late arrival of election materials.
Rivers: Fubara Withdraws, Chinda Emerges
One of the biggest surprises came from Rivers State.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara withdrew from the APC primary before voting commenced, saying his decision was guided by the need to preserve peace, stability, and unity in the state.
His withdrawal comes amid his long-running political conflict with former Rivers governor and current FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
Following Fubara’s exit, Kingsley Chinda emerged as the APC governorship candidate after running unopposed.
Lagos: Hamzat Makes History
In Lagos State, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat secured the APC governorship ticket with an overwhelming victory.
Hamzat polled 657,917 votes, defeating Olanrewaju Jim-Kamal, who received just one vote.
His victory marks a significant political milestone, making him the first sitting deputy governor in Lagos to secure the APC governorship nomination.
In his acceptance speech, Hamzat expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Ogun: Adeola Wins Backed by Zoning Argument
Senator Solomon Adeola won the APC ticket in Ogun State with 304,055 votes.
The senator received strong backing from Governor Dapo Abiodun, who argued that Ogun West deserved the governorship position after decades without producing a governor.
The zoning argument played a key role in Adeola’s emergence as the party’s candidate.
Oyo: Alli Defeats Adelabu
In Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli emerged victorious after defeating several contenders.
Former Minister of Power Bayo Adelabu finished third in the race, while Senator Fatai Buhari came second.
The result positions Alli as the APC flagbearer in one of the most closely watched governorship contests in the South-West.
Gombe: Pantami Rejects Process
The Gombe primary generated controversy after former Communications Minister Ali Pantami openly challenged the process.
Pantami walked out of the exercise, claiming he lacked confidence in its integrity.
Despite the protest, Jamilu Gwamna was declared the winner after polling 247,161 votes.
The development could signal internal party tensions ahead of the 2027 election cycle.
Incumbent Governors Secure Tickets
Across many states, sitting governors retained their party tickets through consensus or affirmation exercises.
Notable governors who secured APC nominations include:
- Uba Sani (Kaduna)
- Dikko Umaru Radda (Katsina)
- Nasir Idris (Kebbi)
- Dauda Lawal (Zamfara)
- Ahmed Aliyu (Sokoto)
- Umaru Bago (Niger)
- Hyacinth Alia (Benue)
- Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta)
- Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom)
- Bassey Otu (Cross River)
- Peter Mbah (Enugu)
- Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi)
Several notable candidates also emerged in other states:
- Agbu Kefas secured the APC ticket in Taraba.
- Mustapha Gubio emerged in Borno.
- Eric Opah won the ticket in Abia.
Meanwhile, contests in Adamawa, Plateau, Yobe, Nasarawa, Kwara, and Bauchi remained unresolved or incomplete at the time of reporting.
The APC governorship primaries 2026 have laid the groundwork for what promises to be a fiercely contested 2027 election season. While many incumbent governors secured nominations with ease, developments in Rivers, Gombe, and several other states revealed internal political battles that could shape future contests.
With a number of primaries still unresolved and opposition parties yet to complete their own selection processes, Nigeria’s political landscape is already taking shape ahead of the next general election.
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