APC Senate Primaries 2026: Upsets, Landslide Wins, and a Test for Nigeria’s New Electoral Act

The All Progressives Congress senatorial primaries held on Monday, May 18, 2026, reshaped the party’s landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections. 

The exercise combined high-profile defeats, consensus affirmations, and direct primaries, producing one of the most striking outcomes in recent APC history.

1. Major Upsets and Key Results

*Imo West*

Governor Hope Uzodimma delivered a decisive victory over former Governor Rochas Okorocha, polling 230,464 votes to Okorocha’s 1,098 votes across 12 LGAs. Party leaders described it as a referendum on Okorocha’s dwindling influence. d1795e50

*Kogi Central*

Former Governor Yahaya Bello made a political comeback with a landslide 72,399 votes, defeating Ibrahim Yakubu Adoje and Momoh Obaro across Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori, Okehi, and Okene LGAs. Breakdown: Adavi 18,341; Okene 29,621; Ajaokuta 10,298; Okehi 8,943; Ogori 5,146.

*Delta North*

Immediate past Governor Ifeanyi Okowa unseated incumbent Senator Ned Nwoko, polling 113,309 votes to Nwoko’s 2,612 votes. 

*Delta Central*

Senator Ede Dafinone defeated former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Age with 116,252 votes to 3,643 votes.

*Ogun East*

Governor Dapo Abiodun secured the ticket with 810 votes out of 812 accredited voters, a near-unanimous endorsement. 

Former Governors Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun boycotted the exercise citing security concerns and lack of consultation. 5e50471006c5

*Abia North*

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu won with 65,651 votes against Philip Nto’s 2,103 votes in a direct primary across 57 wards. a21b

*Ekiti State*

- *Ekiti Central*: Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele emerged unopposed with 29,586 affirmative votes.

- *Ekiti North*: Senator Cyril Fasuyi defeated Ayo Arise 14,179 to 4,868.

- *Ekiti South*: Senator Yemi Adaramodu polled 12,200 votes to defeat Biodun Olujimi 7,420 and Bamidele Faparusi 5,502. 86b0

*Other Notable Outcomes*

- *Consensus/Affirmation*: Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin [Kano North], Ali Ndume [Borno South], Adams Oshiomhole, and others emerged via consensus.

- *Edo South*: Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama declared winner with 27,154 votes, though a rival faction claimed Osagie Ize-Iyamu won.

- *Disqualifications*: APC barred 44 aspirants, including Tein Jack-Rich, Ipalibo Banigo, and Tammy Danagogo, while reinstating Ben Murray-Bruce.

2. The Electoral Act 2026: Ending Godfatherism and Delegate Bribery

The 2026 Electoral Act amendment scrapped the indirect delegate system and limited candidate nomination to *direct primaries* and *regulated consensus* under Section 84(2). 

*How it tackles godfatherism and bribery:*

1. *Abolition of Delegate System*: The old delegate system was described as a “mercantile arrangement” where governors and wealthy aspirants used bloc votes and money to influence outcomes. Its removal cuts a major avenue for vote-buying.

2. *Strict Consensus Rules*: Section 84(9) now requires all cleared aspirants to voluntarily withdraw and endorse one candidate, with ratification at a special convention. This prevents backroom imposition without genuine agreement.

3. *Direct Primaries*: All party members at ward level vote directly, creating a “one member, one vote” model. APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru said this ensured “democratic participation” and scored the party high on organisation. 

*Early Positive Results:*

- APC officials and observers in Ogun, Ekiti, and Delta reported “peaceful, transparent and widely accepted” processes with no intimidation or vote-buying.

- Katsina State was cited as a benchmark for peaceful consensus implementation.

- APC scribe Ajibola Basiru challenged other parties to match APC’s openness, calling the exercise “peaceful, inclusive, and engaging”.

3. Benefits of Consensus and Direct Primaries Already Showing

Method & Benefit Observed in 2026 Primaries

**Direct Primaries** Wider participation and ownership by party members. Ekiti, Abia North, and Delta North saw large turnouts and clear mandates. Reduces elite capture as unpopular candidates struggle to win.

**Regulated Consensus** Faster resolution where aspirants agree voluntarily. Ekiti Central and Katsina South avoided costly contests and maintained party unity. Criteria now focus on party service, popularity, and sacrifice, not money bags.

**Overall** Less rancor, fewer litigation cases, and stronger grassroots legitimacy compared to the delegate era.

4. Recommendations

1. *Enforce Consensus Conditions Rigorously*: INEC should reject any consensus not backed by written withdrawals and ratification at designated conventions.

2. *Strengthen Direct Primary Logistics*: Provide adequate security and materials to avoid violence seen in Lagos Alimosho and Epe.

3. *Sanction Imposition Attempts*: Act on complaints of candidate imposition and parallel primaries, as raised in Edo South and Cross River.

4. *Civic Education*: Educate members on new rules to prevent manipulation and encourage genuine participation. 

5. Conclusion

The 2026 APC senatorial primaries demonstrate that the new Electoral Act is already altering power dynamics within Nigeria’s ruling party. 

The fall of figures like Rochas Okorocha, Gbenga Daniel, and Ibikunle Amosun, alongside landslide wins for Uzodimma, Bello, Okowa, and Kalu, shows that godfatherism is weakening where direct participation and regulated consensus hold sway. 

By eliminating the delegate system and tightening consensus rules, the Act has reduced the scope for bribery and imposition, giving ordinary party members a stronger voice. 

If sustained and properly enforced, these reforms could produce a more transparent, competitive, and credible path to the 2027 general elections.

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