The primaries of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have been marred by controversies and protests, particularly from high-ranking members, including sitting senators, who could not secure their return ticket during the nationwide exercise. No fewer than 12 senators failed to secure their return ticket to the National Assembly through the APC primaries in their respective senatorial constituencies. While many are awaiting the final list from the party's national level, some have restrategized and resigned their membership.
Two Sitting Senators and a Former Deputy Senate President Exit APC
By count, two sitting senators have dumped the APC to pursue their ambitions in the 2027 election, while a former high-ranking senator, who lost in the primary, also joined another opposition party to realize his dream. Below is the list of the three former and present senators:
Ovie Omo-Agege
Ovie Omo-Agege, the former deputy president of the Nigerian Senate, resigned from the ruling APC after losing at the party's senatorial primary in Delta State. He joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). The former senator contested the Delta Central senatorial ticket under the NDC on Friday, May 29. His defection followed his loss of the APC senatorial ticket to Senator Ede Dafinone, who had the backing of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Senator Shehu Buba Umar
Shehu Buba Umar was the senator representing Bauchi South senatorial district under the APC but resigned after failing to secure the governorship ticket during the party's primaries. He subsequently joined the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). Umar had planned to contest the APC governorship primaries but pulled out 24 hours before the scheduled date, citing a lack of internal democracy and manipulation of the process. He was later announced as the PRP consensus governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Bauchi State.
Senator Sama'ila Dahuwa
Like Umar, Senator Dahuwa had defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC ahead of the primaries but faced denial of the return ticket in the ruling party. He quickly decamped again and joined the PRP. He was later announced as the PRP consensus candidate for Bauchi North in the 2027 election. The defection of Dahuwa and Umar could significantly affect the APC's chances in Bauchi State.
Governor Idris of Kebbi State, however, secured his return ticket through unanimous affirmation as the APC's sole candidate in the 2027 governorship election. The primary, held at Haliru Abdul Stadium in Birnin Kebbi, was a massive show of support for the governor.
