APC Unveils Governorship Candidates in 28 States Ahead of 2027 Elections
E-ISSN:2354-4481
By Jeff Unaegbu
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has concluded governorship primary elections in 28 states ahead of the 2027 general elections, producing candidates through a mix of consensus arrangements and direct primaries. The exercise saw incumbent governors, former public officeholders, and party stalwarts emerge as flagbearers across the country.
In Abia State, Eric Opah emerged as the APC governorship candidate after polling 126,977 votes to defeat Henry Ikoh, who secured 5,905 votes.
The outcome of the primary in Adamawa State was still pending at the time of filing this report, although Ahmed Galadima was reported to be leading the race, p pending official confirmation.
In Akwa Ibom State, Governor Umo Eno emerged as the APC governorship candidate through a consensus arrangement endorsed by party stakeholders.
The governorship primary in Bauchi State was postponed and scheduled to continue, with party officials expected to announce the eventual winner upon completion of the exercise.
In Benue State, Governor Hyacinth Alia maintained a commanding lead and was widely expected to secure the party’s governorship ticket once voting and collation were concluded.
In Borno State, Mustapha Gubio emerged as the APC candidate through consensus, while Governor Bassey Otu similarly secured the ticket in Cross River State through a consensus process.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori won the APC governorship primary in Delta State, polling 345,375 votes to emerge as the party’s standard bearer for the 2027 election.
In Ebonyi State, Governor Francis Nwifuru emerged as the APC governorship candidate through consensus, while Governor Peter Mbah secured the party’s ticket in Enugu State through the same process.
One of the most competitive contests was recorded in Gombe State, where Jamilu Gwamna polled 247,161 votes to defeat former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Pantami, who scored 12,120 votes, and former Minister of Transportation, Saidu Ahmed Alkali, who garnered 11,612 votes.
Governor Umar Namadi emerged as the APC candidate in Jigawa State through consensus, while Governor Uba Sani secured the party’s nomination in Kaduna State after polling 459,393 votes in the primary election.
In Kano State, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf emerged as the APC candidate through consensus, while Governor Dikko Umar Radda secured the ticket in Katsina State through the same process.
Governor Nasir Idris was returned as the APC governorship candidate in Kebbi State by consensus, while the primary election in Kwara State was postponed and expected to continue at a later date.
The APC primary in Lagos State produced Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as the governorship candidate after he polled 657,917 votes to defeat Lanre Kamal, who received one vote.
The governorship primary in Nasarawa State was also postponed and scheduled to continue, with the party yet to announce an outcome.
Governor Umaru Bago emerged as the APC governorship candidate in Niger State through consensus.
In Ogun State, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola secured the party’s ticket after polling 304,055 votes to defeat Abayomi Hunye.
Although the official result had yet to be declared in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli was reported to be leading the contest.
On the Plateau, Governor Caleb Mutfwang maintained a significant lead and was widely expected to emerge as the APC governorship candidate following the completion of the primary process.
In Rivers State, Ogundu Kingsley Chinda emerged as the APC candidate after polling 268,497 votes. His emergence followed the withdrawal of three aspirants, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, leading to his adoption as the consensus candidate.
Governor Ahmad Aliyu secured the APC ticket in Sokoto State through consensus, while Governor Agbu Kefas was reported to be leading the governorship primary in Taraba State with a strong chance of emerging victorious.
In Yobe State, Baba Malam Wali maintained a comfortable lead in the ongoing contest and was expected to clinch the APC nomination upon the conclusion of the exercise.
Governor Dauda Lawal emerged as the APC governorship candidate in Zamfara State through consensus, rounding off the list of states where candidates had either emerged or were on course to secure the party’s ticket.
Meanwhile, governorship primaries were not conducted in Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo, and Osun States due to their off-cycle election schedules. The APC is expected to conduct nomination exercises in those states in accordance with the timetable to be released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The completion of the governorship primaries marks a major step in the APC’s preparations for the 2027 elections, with successful aspirants now expected to begin wider consultations, coalition-building efforts, and campaigns ahead of the general polls.
