LAGOS, Nigeria — The All Progressives Congress conducted its senatorial primaries across Nigeria on May 18, 2026, resulting in the selection of several high-profile candidates while 44 aspirants faced disqualification.
The All Progressives Congress National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said the screening and selection processes followed established party procedures and guidelines.
Okay News reports that the All Progressives Congress barred 44 aspirants from the contest, including Rivers State politician Tein Jack-Rich, Nigeria’s Senator, Ipalibo Banigo, and former Rivers State Head of Service, Tammy Danagogo. Nigeria’s Senator, Ipalibo Banigo, said, “we have only four women in the 10th senate. This is a time we are seeking to have more women in higher political positions.”
Incumbent leaders including Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Nigeria’s Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, secured return tickets alongside Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, and Nigeria’s Senator, Orji Uzor Kalu. In Abia North, Nigeria’s Senator, Orji Uzor Kalu, secured a victory with 65,651 votes against 2,103 votes for his challenger. Nigeria’s Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, emerged as the candidate for Kano North unopposed at 10:00 WAT (GMT+1).
In Delta North, former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, defeated the incumbent, Nigeria’s Senator, Ned Nwoko, by polling 113,309 votes to 2,612 votes. The All Progressives Congress National Assembly Primary Committee secretary, Nusa Amagbor, said Nigeria’s Senator, Ede Dafinone, polled 116,252 votes to defeat Nigeria’s Senator, Ovie Omo-Agege, who secured 3,643 votes in Delta Central. Returning officer Eugene Odo said Ifeanyi Okowa “is hereby declared the winner of the Delta North Senatorial District primary election.”
Nigeria’s Senator, Muhammad Danjuma Goje, lost the Gombe Central ticket to Mohammed Ahmed, who scored 42,785 votes to 10,425 votes. Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, won in Kogi Central with 72,399 votes, while in Kogi East, Nigeria’s Senator, Jibrin Isah, rejected the results and said, “The battle line has been drawn,” while vowing to challenge the outcome. In Edo South, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama was announced as the winner with 27,154 votes despite a parallel claim of victory by Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
The party utilized consensus arrangements in states such as Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, and Zamfara, where incumbents including Nigeria’s Senator, Aliyu Wamakko, and Nigeria’s Senator, Muhammadu Adamu Aliero, were affirmed. In Cross River, the three serving senators, Asuquo Ekpenyong, Eteng Williams, and Jarigbe Agom, received their return tickets through affirmation.
The All Progressives Congress reinstated former Bayelsa East senator, Ben Murray-Bruce, to the cleared list after his name was initially included among the aspirants not cleared for the primary exercise.
