About 90 serving senators, nine governors and one deputy governor may face tough contests in their bid to secure tickets for the 11th Senate, findings have revealed.
The aspirants, who are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), have appeared before the party’s screening committee in Abuja.
Many of them are now expected to test their popularity in direct primaries following the rejection of consensus arrangements proposed by some governors.
Sources who spoke with The Nation said the leadership of the party prevented governors from interfering with the nomination process.
It was gathered that the Presidential Supervision Team recommended adopting direct primaries, especially in states where consensus could not be reached.
The recommendation was said to be in line with Section 87(2) of the Electoral Act 2026.
The section provides, “Where a political party is unable to secure the written consent of all cleared aspirants for the purpose of a consensus candidate, it shall revert to the choice of direct primaries for the nomination of candidates for the elective positions.”
APC flashpoints identified by the team include Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Kwara and Kano states.
Governors Eye Senate
Governors seeking Senate seats in the next dispensation include Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe; Mai Mala Buni of Yobe; Dapo Abiodun of Ogun; AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara; Hope Uzodimma of Imo; Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa; Bala Mohammed of Bauchi; Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa; and Babagana Zulum of Borno.
The only outgoing deputy governor seeking a Senate seat is Noimot Salako-Oyedele of Ogun State.
Some of the governors are expected to face tough battles during the primaries or at the 2027 polls.
In Ogun East, Governor Abiodun is expected to battle Senator Gbenga Daniel for the APC ticket.
In Gombe, Governor Inuwa Yahaya will face Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, his predecessor in office; former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Usman Bayero Nafada of the NDC; and Mustapha Mohammed Aliyu of the ADC.
For Governor AbdulRazaq of Kwara, the contest is expected to be against the PDP candidate, likely to be backed by former Senate President, Bukola Saraki.
Nasarawa, Adamawa Contests
In Nasarawa, Governor Abdullahi Sule, who narrowly won re-election in 2023, may face a difficult primary against the immediate past Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment, Silas Agara, for Nasarawa North.
He may also face a tougher contest in the main election against the Social Democratic Party candidate and former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku.
A source said, “The problem with Nasarawa State governor is that he is from a minority tribe in a district populated by Nasarawa-Eggon people who are mostly Christians. It will be an interesting scenario.”
In Adamawa State, Governor Fintiri is expected to face candidates of the ADC and NDC.
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, is also expected to battle APC and ADC candidates for the Bauchi South Senatorial District.
Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, is expected to face two strong opponents in her bid for the APC ticket in Ogun West Senatorial District.
They are former Senator Gbolahan Dada and former Works Commissioner, Olayiwola Taiwo.
