Lawal, Alia, Bago, Sani, Hamzat Clinch Party Gov Tickets As APC Holds Primaries
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The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday unveiled its governorship candidates for the 2027 general elections following primaries conducted across several states.
Most incumbent governors seeking re-election on the APC platform emerged unopposed or through consensus, consolidating their positions ahead of the 2027 polls.
In Zamfara State, Governor Dauda Lawal emerged as the party’s governorship candidate through a consensus arrangement adopted for the primaries.
Party members across wards unanimously endorsed him as the flagbearer.
In Katsina State, Governor Dikko Radda also secured the party’s ticket through a consensus affirmation, with 2,835 delegates endorsing his second-term bid during a peaceful exercise at the Katsina People’s Square.
In Niger State, Governor Umaru Bago clinched the APC ticket through affirmation at the party secretariat in Minna, after delegates from all 277 wards endorsed him as the sole candidate.
He described the outcome as a reflection of trust and unity within the party.
Similarly, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani emerged after polling 459,393 affirmation votes in a primary described by officials as peaceful and transparent, with strong backing from party stakeholders.
In Benue State, Governor Hyacinth Alia won the APC governorship primary in a decisive contest, scoring 367,786 votes to defeat his closest rivals, Pastor Terwase Orbunde and Jeffrey Kuranun.
Announcing the results, the chairman of the primary committee, Mohammad Isah, said Alia recorded overwhelming support across all 23 local government areas.
Alia, in his acceptance speech, thanked party members for embracing direct primaries and promised continued infrastructural development across Benue State.
In Lagos State, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat emerged as the APC governorship candidate after polling 657,917 votes, defeating Olanrewaju Jim-Kamal, who secured one vote.
The Returning Officer, General Jonathan Temlong (retd.), said the exercise was peaceful across all 245 wards in the state, describing it as a “family affair” marked by massive turnout.
In Gombe State, Jamilu Gwamna emerged as the APC flagbearer through direct primaries conducted across 114 wards. The exercise followed withdrawals by some aspirants, including former ministers.
He called for unity among party members after the contest, urging stakeholders to support the party’s victory in 2027.
A former Secretary to the Yobe State Government, Baba Malam-Wali, was declared the winner of the governorship primary election.
The chairman of the committee, who doubles as Minister of Housing, Muttaha Rabe-Darma, while announcing the result in Damaturu, said Baba Malam-Wali scored 236,711 votes to beat his closest opponent, Abubakar Kagu, who scored 9,748 votes.
The committee chairman revealed that the exercise was peaceful across the 178 political wards of the state.
In Rivers State, the primaries were marked by controversy after Governor Siminalayi Fubara withdrew from the race alongside other aspirants, including Tonye Cole and Alabo George-Kelly.
Fubara pledged support for whoever emerges as a candidate.
“To my supporters who stood firmly with me throughout this journey, who gave their time, resources, prayers, and unwavering hope, I offer my deepest gratitude,” he said.
“I understand the disappointment, the anger, and the pain many of you may feel. Much has indeed been invested and much sacrificed along the way. But please know that your loyalty and trust were never in vain.
“My silence over this period was deliberate and strategic, guided always by the higher interest of our state and our people,” he added.
In Adamawa State, uncertainty trailed the exercise amid political realignments and reported irregularities, with final results still awaited as of the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, the APC rescheduled governorship primaries in Bauchi and Kwara states to Friday, May 22, 2026, following approval by the National Working Committee (NWC), citing the need for a transparent and credible process.
