The All Progressives Congress (APC) successfully conducted governorship primaries in 25 states on Thursday but was forced to postpone the exercise in Kwara and Bauchi states and two House of Assembly constituencies in Zamfara after the party leadership failed to secure consensus arrangements, while late arrival of electoral materials also disrupted the process in Nasarawa State.
The postponements came as Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s dramatic withdrawal from the Rivers governorship race on the eve of the primaries triggered outrage among his supporters, who accused powerful interests of cornering the governor politically. Meanwhile, the party constituted key election management structures for its presidential primary scheduled for Friday, May 23, 2026, appointing a committee chaired by former Senate President Pius Anyim.
The Postponements: Consensus Collapses
The APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, announced that the governorship primaries in Kwara and Bauchi states had been rescheduled to Friday, May 22, while the State House of Assembly primaries for Maradun I and Maradun II constituencies in Zamfara were moved to Sunday, May 24.
Morka attributed the postponements to the NWC’s commitment to ensuring “transparent, orderly, peaceful and credible primary election process.” But despite the official explanation, the delays immediately fuelled suspicions of manipulation and imposition among party members in both states.
Kwara: Eight Aspirants Step Down for Governor’s Choice
In Kwara State, the postponement deepened political uncertainty as intense behind-the-scenes negotiations unfolded around Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s preferred successor, Ambassador Yahaya Seriki.
Barely hours after the postponement was announced, no fewer than eight governorship aspirants stepped down for Seriki following what party insiders described as strategic consultations designed to preserve party unity and ensure continuity of the AbdulRazaq administration.
Those who withdrew included Prof. Wale Sulaiman, Dr Mohammed Bio, Dr Toyin Alabi, Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, Captain Ahmad Mahmoud, Hajia Aisha Patigi, Dr Salako Oluwatoyin, and Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu.
Sources familiar with a Wednesday night meeting said the aspirants resolved to support Seriki “in the interest of unity and continuity,” with renewed commitments to “party cohesion, issue-based engagement and a peaceful primary process.”
Even before the postponement was officially communicated, party members had already gathered in several wards across Kwara Central for the exercise. At Adewole Ward in Ilorin West Local Government Area, supporters of various aspirants dominated the venue as chants of “Sai Yahaya” echoed repeatedly. By about 2pm, many party members began dispersing after waiting endlessly for electoral officials and materials.
At Gambari Ward II in Ilorin East, a visually impaired APC member, Abubakar Gobir, told journalists he had arrived early to participate. “We are here to exercise our civic rights as loyal party members,” he said. Another visually impaired supporter, Rufai Yusuf, declared his support for Seriki.
Confusion also trailed the process in parts of Kwara South. At Ganmo/Idofian, a party member, Adebayo Yakeen, claimed ward members improvised their own voting arrangement after electoral officials failed to arrive, but ward officials dismissed the claim, insisting materials were still being awaited.
Kwara APC Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, confirmed the postponement but declined to provide detailed reasons. “We don’t have details for the cancellation other than the fact that the team from the national office came and instructed that the election will be held tomorrow,” he said.
Bauchi: Supporters Storm Committee Hotel
The crisis over consensus politics exploded in Bauchi State where supporters of governorship aspirant Nura Soro staged protests over fears of alleged manipulation and candidate imposition.
The supporters stormed the hotel where members of the APC electoral committee were reportedly lodged, insisting that the process must remain transparent and credible.
Director of the Nura Soro Campaign Organisation, Dr Auwal Jada, accused unnamed interests of attempting to secretly collate and alter results. “This is the way previous primary elections were conducted. Our people are here peacefully to protect electoral materials and ensure transparency,” Jada stated.
Another supporter, Musa Buba, questioned why only Bauchi and Kwara witnessed postponements. “Why was the election postponed? There must be reasons behind it. Other states conducted their primaries, but Bauchi and Kwara were postponed. That is why many people are beginning to suspect foul play,” he said.
Buba invoked the precedent of President Tinubu’s own emergence: “The President emerged through the ballot, not through consensus. That is the same democratic process we are demanding here in Bauchi.”
Rivers: Fubara’s Exit Triggers Outrage
In Rivers State, Governor Fubara’s withdrawal from the APC governorship race on Wednesday night which he framed as a sacrifice for “peace and unity” triggered outrage among supporters and political associates who accused powerful interests within the APC of cornering the governor politically.
The National President of the South-South Youths Initiative, Saviour Imeabe, described the decision as deeply disappointing. “Leadership is not about personal comfort. It is about responsibility to the people who stood with you when it matters most. To turn away now is to abandon the very people who made the mandate possible,” he said, warning that “history will not be kind to leaders who retreat when the people need them most.”
APC governorship aspirant Solomon Lenu described the withdrawal as “a painful tsunami” for the governor’s supporters and alleged: “The President deceived the governor of Rivers State all along. All the structures have been taken away from him long ago and handed over to the minister.”
Former aide Chris Itamunola also faulted the withdrawal: “What peace? For the past three years, almost four years, have we had peace? The implication of this is that we are now being thrown into a mighty ocean and each one of us is expected to now struggle to swim.”
Despite the controversy, the APC governorship primary proceeded in Rivers, with Wike ally Kingsley Ogundu Chinda emerging victorious as the sole aspirant with 268,497 votes.
Results Across the States
Across the 25 states where primaries were concluded, incumbent governors and consensus-backed candidates dominated the outcomes.
In Lagos, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat polled 657,917 votes out of 657,974 accredited, defeating Lanre Jim-Kamal who received one vote. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was present for the declaration.
In Delta, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori secured his second-term ticket with 345,375 votes. “For the first time in Delta State, our primaries were conducted peacefully without violence, crisis or loss of lives. Nobody imposed candidates on the people,” Oborevwori stated.
In Enugu, Governor Peter Mbah clinched the APC ticket as party members turned out massively across 260 wards. Federal lawmaker Nnolim Nnaji praised Mbah as “The Rock” for his governance performance.
In Gombe, Jamilu Ishiaku Gwamna produced one of the day’s biggest surprises by defeating former ministers Isa Pantami (12,120 votes) and Saidu Alkali (11,612 votes) with 247,161 votes. Both former ministers had earlier announced boycotts alleging irregularities but their names remained on the ballot.
In Kaduna, Governor Uba Sani secured 459,393 affirmation votes. In Kano, Governor Abba Yusuf was adopted unanimously with Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin moving the motion. In Katsina, Governor Dikko Radda was affirmed through a voice vote by 1,805 delegates. In Kebbi, Governor Nasir Idris received unanimous endorsement across 225 wards. In Niger, Governor Bago emerged unopposed. In Zamfara, Governor Dauda Lawal was affirmed by voice vote. In Jigawa, Governor Namadi was affirmed through consensus.
In Ogun, Senator Solomon Adeola (Yayi) emerged unopposed after all other aspirants withdrew. “The decision to present me as the consensus candidate was not foisted on the party. It was a result of far-reaching consultation and agreement among stakeholders,” Adeola stated.
In Abia, Chief Henry Ikoh was adopted as the consensus candidate by 13 out of 18 members of the State Working Committee after aspirant Mascot Uzor-Kalu withdrew, citing equity and zoning considerations related to his brother Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s senatorial ticket.
