The All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primaries conducted on Monday across the country have produced a series of dramatic results, with former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege suffering a crushing defeat in Delta Central, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa defeating incumbent Senator Ned Nwoko in Delta North, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma securing the Imo West ticket, Senator Danjuma Goje losing his fifth-term bid in Gombe Central, and competing claims of victory emerging in Edo South — reshaping the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele returned unopposed in Ekiti Central, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin was affirmed in Kano North, former Governor Adams Oshiomhole was returned unopposed in Edo North, all three Borno senators returned unchallenged, former activist Shehu Sani won Kaduna Central, and Governor Dapo Abiodun emerged in Ogun East after his rival Senator Gbenga Daniel pulled out.
Delta: Dafinone Crushes Omo-Agege
The most stunning result of the day came from Delta Central Senatorial District, where incumbent Senator Ede Dafinone defeated former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege in a landslide that left no room for ambiguity.
The Secretary of the APC National Assembly Primary Committee for Delta State, Nusa Amagbor, announced that Dafinone polled 116,252 votes against Omo-Agege’s 3,643 votes across the eight local government areas that make up the district. The margin of over 112,000 votes represented one of the most lopsided outcomes in the entire primary season.
Omo-Agege, who served two terms in the Senate and rose to become Deputy President of the Senate before losing the 2023 Delta State governorship election to Sheriff Oborevwori, had issued a statement declaring himself victorious before the official results were announced — a claim that was comprehensively contradicted by the official figures.
Dafinone described the process as transparent and extended an olive branch to Omo-Agege: “I will also take this opportunity to call on Distinguished Senator Ovie Omo-Agege to join forces with other members of our party so that we can work together for victory in 2027 across all positions.”
Delta North: Okowa Defeats Nwoko
In Delta North, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa secured a commanding victory, polling 113,309 votes against incumbent Senator Ned Nwoko’s 2,612 votes. A third aspirant, Mariam Ali, recorded just 40 votes.
Okowa’s entry into the APC senatorial race represents a remarkable political journey for the former PDP governor who has now crossed to the ruling party. Upon his declaration, Okowa promised to be a good representative and to maintain close proximity to his constituents.
“I expect to return home as regularly as possible to greet our people. You cannot be a senator and stay away from your people because they sent you to represent them,” Okowa said.
In Delta South, officials reported that incumbent Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas was leading in six of eight local government areas, with the exercise still being monitored.
Imo: Governor Uzodimma Wins West, Mbata Takes East
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma secured the APC ticket for the Imo West Senatorial District, which he previously represented in the Senate from 2011 to 2019. Uzodimma’s second term as governor runs until January 2028, meaning he would serve briefly as both governor and senator-elect if victorious in the general election.
In Imo East, Prince Alex Mbata emerged winner with 121,680 votes after a leading aspirant, Dr Chijioke Kaduru, stepped down minutes before voting commenced. The result was announced by Rear Admiral Kayode Williams (retd.), Chairman of the committee.
Gombe: Goje’s 14-Year Senate Career Ends
Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje lost his bid for a fifth Senate term in Gombe Central, defeated by DCP Mohammed Ahmed (retd.) who polled 42,785 votes to Goje’s 10,425. Ahmed had earlier been picked as the consensus candidate of the APC.
Goje, who served as Gombe State governor for two terms before entering the Senate in 2011, saw his 14-year career in the upper chamber come to an end. DCP Ahmed described the result as reflecting growing support for change in Gombe Central.
Edo: Confusion in South, Oshiomhole Unopposed in North
Fresh confusion emerged in Edo South as two aspirants — Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu — both claimed victory after different chairmen of the primary election committee announced conflicting results.
One committee headed by Kabiru Ajana declared Ogbeide-Ihama the winner with 27,154 votes. In a counter-declaration, another official, Muhammadu Kabiru, read out results showing Ize-Iyamu leading with 33,399 votes to Ogbeide-Ihama’s 12,560 and Imasuen’s 5,107.
The competing declarations have thrown the Edo South ticket into dispute, with the APC national headquarters expected to intervene.
In contrast, Edo North produced a clean outcome as former Governor Adams Oshiomhole was returned unopposed after his sole opponent withdrew from the race. Oshiomhole polled 24,284 votes in what was effectively an affirmation exercise.
“For me to have nobody challenging me in Edo North is an honour and I can’t thank the people of Edo North enough,” Oshiomhole said.
Kaduna: Shehu Sani, Katung, Yero Win
The Kaduna senatorial primaries produced three clear winners. Former Senator Shehu Sani won Kaduna Central with 9,105 votes, defeating Yusuf Zailani (1,021 votes). Senator Sunday Marshall Katung won Kaduna South with 7,453 votes, defeating former Senator Danjuma Tella Laah (1,370) and Michael Auta (878). Former Governor Ramalan Mukhtar Yero won Kaduna North with 6,060 votes.
Shehu Sani, thanking President Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani, said: “There is no better representation of the people of Kaduna State than me being their lawmaker and Uba Sani being the governor.”
Kano North: Deputy Senate President Affirmed
Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin was unanimously affirmed as the APC candidate for Kano North in an exercise attended by thousands of party members from the district’s 13 local government areas. Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by his deputy, expressed confidence in APC’s prospects across all levels.
Borno: All Three Senators Return Unopposed
All three incumbent senators from Borno State were returned unopposed. Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South) was affirmed after his main challenger, Deputy Speaker Abdullahi Askira, stepped down. Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Tahir Monguno (Borno North) and Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, SAN (Borno Central) were both affirmed as sole candidates. If victorious, Ndume would return for a fifth term.
Ekiti: Bamidele Unopposed, Adaramodu Confident
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele secured the Ekiti Central ticket unopposed for a third term, citing divine grace and constituency development as factors behind his unchallenged emergence. He disclosed ongoing projects including 11 mini stadia, over 6,000 solar streetlights, and 80 kilometres of inner roads across the district.
Senate Spokesman Yemi Adaramodu expressed confidence in the Ekiti South contest against Senator Biodun Olujimi and Hon. Bamidele Faparusi, citing his scholarship programme for 86 students and his grassroots support.
Ogun: Abiodun Wins After Daniel Pulls Out
Governor Dapo Abiodun won the Ogun East senatorial primary after his rival Senator Gbenga Daniel pulled out on Sunday night, citing alleged threats of violence. Abiodun dismissed the allegations as unfounded, noting the peaceful conduct of Saturday’s House of Representatives primaries.
In Ogun West, former Rep member Jimoh Ojugbele emerged with 85,552 votes after his opponents, including Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele, stepped down. In Ogun Central, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu was returned with 85,804 votes.
Oyo: Affirmations and Pending Results
In Oyo State, Senator Akintunde Yunus (Oyo Central) and Hon. Remi Oseni (Oyo South) were affirmed as sole candidates. The Oyo North result remained pending as of the time of filing, with Professor Adeolu Akande and Mrs Hannah Ogunesan among the contenders.
Full Summary of Key Senate Primary Results
| Senatorial District | Winner | Votes | Closest Rival | Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Central | Ede Dafinone | 116,252 | Ovie Omo-Agege | 3,643 |
| Delta North | Ifeanyi Okowa | 113,309 | Ned Nwoko | 2,612 |
| Imo East | Alex Mbata | 121,680 | — | — |
| Imo West | Hope Uzodimma | Affirmed | — | — |
| Gombe Central | DCP Mohammed Ahmed (rtd) | 42,785 | Danjuma Goje | 10,425 |
| Edo North | Adams Oshiomhole | 24,284 | Unopposed | — |
| Edo South | Disputed | — | — | — |
| Kaduna Central | Shehu Sani | 9,105 | Yusuf Zailani | 1,021 |
| Kaduna South | Sunday Marshall Katung | 7,453 | Danjuma Tella Laah | 1,370 |
| Kaduna North | Ramalan Mukhtar Yero | 6,060 | Muazu Mukaddas | 1,044 |
| Kano North | Barau I. Jibrin | Affirmed | — | — |
| Borno South | Ali Ndume | Affirmed | — | — |
| Borno North | Mohammed Monguno | Affirmed | — | — |
| Borno Central | Kaka Shehu Lawan SAN | Affirmed | — | — |
| Ekiti Central | Opeyemi Bamidele | Unopposed | — | — |
| Ogun East | Dapo Abiodun | Won | Gbenga Daniel | Withdrew |
| Ogun West | Jimoh Ojugbele | 85,552 | — | — |
| Ogun Central | Shuaib Afolabi Salisu | 85,804 | — | — |
| Oyo Central | Akintunde Yunus | Affirmed | — | — |
| Oyo South | Remi Oseni | Affirmed | — | — |
The Bigger Picture
The Senate primaries have confirmed that the APC’s 2027 senatorial lineup will feature a mix of returning senators, former governors entering the upper chamber, and fresh faces who defeated entrenched incumbents. The defeats of Omo-Agege, Goje, and Nwoko — all powerful political figures with decades of experience — signal a significant generational and factional shift within the party.
The disputed Edo South result and the violence that marred the Ondo primaries remain unresolved and could generate legal challenges. Meanwhile, the entry of governors Uzodimma, Abiodun, and former governors Okowa and Yero into the Senate race will reshape the dynamics of the upper chamber if they are elected in 2027.
The APC governorship primaries are expected to follow, with the outcomes of the senatorial contests providing early signals of the internal power dynamics that will shape the party’s broader electoral strategy for 2027.
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