Politics
BREAKING: State-by-State, APC Releases List of Senatorial Candidates Ahead 2027
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has released the names of senatorial candidates who have emerged from completed primaries across 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the party, the list comprises candidates whose nominations have been concluded and ratified, while primaries in some senatorial districts remain pending, inconclusive or yet to be conducted.
In the South-East, former governor Orji Uzor Kalu secured the APC ticket for Abia North. Other candidates include Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jr (Abia South) and Emeka Atuma (Abia Central). In Anambra State, Nelson Onubuogu, Kene Chiedu Ngozi Benedicta and Chibuogu Oraelusi emerged for Anambra North, Central and South respectively.
The APC also cleared Osita Ngwu (Enugu West), Kelvin Chukwu (Enugu East) and Ikeje Asogwa (Enugu North) in Enugu State, while Imo State produced Alex Mbata (Imo East), Governor Hope Uzodimma (Imo West) and Patrick Ndubueze (Imo North).
In the North-East, Governor Umaru Fintiri emerged for Adamawa North, while Felix Tangwami clinched the ticket for Adamawa South. Bauchi State produced Yakubu Abdullahi (Bauchi South) and Ibrahim Baba (Bauchi North).
In Borno State, APC candidates are Kaka Shehu (Borno Central), Ali Ndume (Borno South) and Tahir Monguno (Borno North).
Governor Inuwa Yahaya will contest for Gombe North, alongside Mohammed Ahmed (Gombe Central) and Jerry Damara (Gombe South). Taraba State produced Manu Haruna (Taraba Central) and David Jimkuta (Taraba South).
In the North-West, APC candidates include Babangida Hussain (Jigawa North-West), Ahmed Malam Madori (Jigawa North-East) and Sani Garba (Jigawa South-West). Kaduna State’s list features former Governor Ramalan Yero (Kaduna North), Shehu Sani (Kaduna Central) and Sunday Katung (Kaduna South).
Other notable candidates are Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau (Kano North), former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau (Kano Central), Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto Central) and Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara West).
In the South-South, Senate President Godswill Akpabio emerged for Akwa Ibom North-West, while Aniekan Bassey and Ekong Sampson secured tickets for Akwa Ibom North-East and South respectively.
Bayelsa APC nominated Fidelis Agbiki (Bayelsa West), Friday Kombowei Benson (Bayelsa Central) and Israel Sunny-Goli (Bayelsa East). Cross River candidates include Jarigbe Jarigbe (North), Oden Ewa (Central) and Asuquo Ekpenyong (South).
In Delta State, Senator Ede Dafinone retained the ticket for Delta Central, while former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and Joel-Onowakpo Thomas emerged for Delta North and Delta South respectively. Rivers State candidates are Felix Obuah (West), Allwell Onyesoh (East) and Barry Mwara (South-East).
In the South-West, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele emerged for Ekiti Central, while Lagos APC picked Wasiu Eshinlokun (Central), Idiat Adebule (West) and Tokunbo Abiru (East).
Governor Dapo Abiodun secured the Ogun East ticket, with Jimoh Ojugbele and Shuaib Salisu emerging for Ogun West and Ogun Central respectively. Ondo APC nominated Gbenga Elegbeleye (North), Taiwo Fasoranti (Central) and Isaacs Kekemeke (South), while Osun candidates are Francis Fadahunsi (East), Adekunle Adeogoke (Central) and Akintunde Oyebiyi (West).
In the North-Central zone, APC candidates include Dave Padopads-Awunah (Benue North-West), Gabriel Suswam (Benue North-East) and Francis Agbo (Benue South).
Former Governor Yahaya Bello emerged for Kogi Central, while Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq secured the Kwara Central ticket. Governor Abdullahi Sule emerged for Nasarawa North, while Niger State candidates include Idris Kutigi, Sani Musa and Sani Bello.
Plateau APC nominated David Barji (Central), former Governor Simon Lalong (South) and Simon Mwadkwon (North). In Edo State, Senator Adams Oshiomhole emerged for Edo North, alongside Joseph Ikpea (Edo Central) and Ogbeide-Ihama Omoregie (Edo South).
For the Federal Capital Territory, the party picked former Senate Minority Leader Philip Aduda as its senatorial candidate.
The APC noted that senatorial districts not captured in the current release are either awaiting primaries or have unresolved issues requiring further consultations. The party attributed the delays to internal disputes, zoning arrangements, logistical challenges and postponements in some states.
Party officials said the list would be updated as outstanding primaries are concluded and ratified, ahead of the submission of candidates’ names to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) within the timetable for the 2027 general elections.
Politics
Political Twist: Nigerians React as NDC Gives Key Appointment to Peter Obi’s Popular Critic
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced the appointment of Agada Abuh Theophilus, who is a popular critic of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the party in the 2027 general elections, as its director of new media and strategic communications.
The party also announced the appointment of Brian Dennis as the deputy director of new media and strategic communications.
Osa Director, the NDC national publicity secretary, announced the appointments in a statement on Wednesday, June 10. According to him, the appointments were part of the efforts to strengthen the party’s digital operation and media engagement strategy ahead of future political activities.
Theophilus has been a popular voice in the political space in Nigeria since the 2023 presidential election. He consistently criticised Obi and the Obidient Movement on his social media platform, particularly X.
He has been a consistent challenger of the political views of Peter Obi and has questioned the direction and structure of the Obidient Movement since the outcome of the 2023 general elections. The NDC explained that the appointment of Theophilus will bring extensive experience in political communications, public relations, and corporate brand management.
However, the appointment has started generating reactions from Nigerians. Below are some of their comments:
Lagospidia said the Obidients would not be happy with the appointment: “Obidients seem to be in a difficult position on this one. Whether they like it or not, they may have to accept the appointment of Theo, a figure widely seen as not being aligned with Peter Obi.”
Nuhu Sada commented on the importance of the appointment ahead of the 2027 general elections:
“Political communication is becoming a key battlefield, and every appointment signals preparation for what lies ahead.”
Good News criticised the appointment: “These political parties are one kind sha. So, of all the people to appoint, it is the one who is a renowned antagonist of the presidential candidate you found. I will never understand this insensitivity.”
Iwu Nna questioned how Theophilus will now market Obi as the NDC presidential candidate in the 2027 general elections: “While everyone is angry, here is the real question. Will he calm down to lick his own vomit? Because he clearly has to market and hype Peter Obi, whom he has clearly disparaged on this app.”
The Federal High Court sitting in Gusau, the Zamfara State Capital, has adjourned the hearing of the suit filed to challenge the results of the senatorial primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Zamfara North senatorial district to June 25, 2026.
Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, an aggrieved aspirant in the election, challenged the outcome of the primary election, citing irregularities. He had mentioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the APC and Sahabi Ya’u Kaura, the party’s senatorial candidate for Zamfara North.
The Tribune reported that when the matter was called for hearing on Tuesday, June 9, the court could not continue with the proceedings over the absence of INEC and the APC, who are the defendants in the suit.
Justice Hassan Dikko of the trial court then adjourned the suit to June 25 for further hearing. Shinkafi is challenging the process and outcome of the ruling party’s national assembly primary election, where Senator Kaura had emerged as the APC candidate for the Zamfara North senatorial district.
Barrister Bello Galadi, the lawyer to the plaintiff, who addressed journalists after the hearing, said Shinkafi was seeking the intervention of the court over what he tagged as a flawed primary election process.
Veteran journalist and publisher of Ovation International, Chief Dele Momodu, has disclosed that former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, once turned down his suggestion to work closely with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 political battle because he believed he had a stronger political following.
Momodu made the revelation while speaking during an interview on the Naija Unfiltered Podcast, where he reflected on his relationship with both politicians and the discussions he had with Obi after the 2023 general election.
According to him, he encouraged the former Anambra State governor to rebuild his political alliance with Atiku, arguing that the ex-Vice President played a major role in bringing Obi to the national stage when he selected him as his running mate in the 2019 presidential election.
“I told Peter why don’t you go and work with Atiku. Atiku was the person who brought him to national prominence,” Momodu said.
The media entrepreneur recalled that Atiku’s decision to settle for Obi as his running mate was not welcomed by some influential figures within the Peoples Democratic Party at the time.
“When Atiku picked Peter, the governors were angry but one thing about Atiku is that once he makes up his mind, he’s a very focused man,” he added.
Momodu explained that he tried to convince Obi by pointing to examples of leaders in different countries who eventually rose to the highest political office after serving as deputies.
“So, I told Peter, I said sir, Your Excellency, try and work with this man (Atiku), then I gave him copious examples. I said if Mahama was not a VP to Prof Atta Mills, maybe he would never be President of Ghana because he came from a minority just like Jonathan in Nigeria,” he said.
“I gave the example of Jonathan, I gave the example in America. Even Joe Biden, who was much older than Obama, still came back to become president because you’re able to demonstrate your capacity.”
Despite the advice, Momodu said Obi was not convinced that such a political arrangement would benefit him.
“You’ve always been a governor of a state but Peter told me he’s more popular than Atiku,” Momodu stated.
Tinubu Government Declares One-Day Public Holiday, DETAILS
Political Twist: Nigerians React as NDC Gives Key Appointment to Peter Obi’s Popular Critic
Tragedy as Adeleke Dies On Official Assignment in Switzerland
Former Super Eagles Star Loses Life Savings, Duped By A Pastor of ₦1.2 Billion
I’m A Married Man, I Can Never Get Myself Involved With Such A Thing, Delta Gov Aide Reveals Why He Offered Comfort ₦500,000 Job
Lagos Imposes ₦250,000 Fine For Illegal Waste Disposal
-
News2 days agoFG to Declare Nationwide Public Holiday, Date Revealed
-
News1 day agoBandits Strike Again, Kill Vice Principal in Fresh School Attack
-
Politics1 day agoBREAKING: Court Takes Action on APC Primaries
-
Business24 hours agoFilling Stations Adjust Petrol Prices Again as New Landing Cost Emerges
-
News1 day agoBREAKING: Tinubu’s Ex-Minister in Trouble Over Certificate Scandal
-
Politics2 days agoBREAKING: INEC Updates Portal, Lists New PDP National Executives
-
Health10 hours agoTragedy as Adeleke Dies On Official Assignment in Switzerland
-
Uncategorized2 days agoBREAKING: Peter Obi Drags Kenneth Okonkwo to Court, Reasons Emerge