Senate President Godswill Akpabio; his deputy, Jibrin Barau; Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele; and Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Tahir Monguno, alongside seven serving governors and former governors, are among prominent figures expected to contest in today’s senatorial primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The serving governors seeking APC senatorial tickets include Hope Uzodimma (Imo West), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa North), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa North), and Mai Mala Buni (Yobe South). Others are AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara Central), Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe North), and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun East).
Several former governors are also in the race, including Yahaya Bello (Kogi Central), who will face incumbent senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of the PDP.
Similarly, former Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, who is currently a senator, will defend his seat against Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya.
Our correspondent reports that several Senate leaders have emerged unopposed in their respective districts, while many serving governors are said to have secured consensus nominations ahead of the primaries.
Also in the race are former governors Jolly Nyame (Taraba), Simon Lalong (Plateau), and Danjuma Goje (Gombe), all vying for senatorial seats in their constituencies.
Former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege has also formally declared his ambition to contest the Delta Central senatorial seat.
The APC began its primaries on Saturday with aspirants contesting House of Representatives tickets, ahead of today’s senatorial primaries across the country.
The party has also set up primary appeal committees across all states to entertain complaints that might arise from the exercise.
A statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, charged members of the committees to be fair and just in discharging their assignments.
Our correspondent gathered that although the official list of aspirants cleared for the senatorial primaries has not yet been released, the party has directly contacted individuals who have outstanding issues with their clearance.
The party also instructed officers dispatched from Abuja to promptly adopt indirect primaries in locations where local stakeholders failed to reach a consensus arrangement.
Gbenga Daniel withdraws from senate primary, alleges violence
Meanwhile, a former governor of Ogun State and Senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, has withdrawn from the APC senatorial primary, alleging a plot to unleash violence on his supporters.
Daniel, who is seeking re-election to the Senate, has been embroiled in a political face-off with Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun over the APC ticket for Ogun East.
The rift between both camps has intensified in recent weeks, with accusations and counter-accusations from loyalists of the two politicians.
In a statement on Sunday, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu – Otunba Gbenga Daniel (BATOGD) Movement said that Daniel directed his supporters to boycott the primary election over security concerns and alleged threats from agents of the state government.
The statement, jointly signed by the Director General of BATOGD, General Olumuyiwa Okunowo (rtd), and 34 others, alleged that suspicious movements and the presence of miscreants had heightened fears of violence ahead of the exercise.
“In the last few days, we have seen all manner of strange movements and miscreants taking positions and ready to strike our people. We have heard and seen agents of the state government threatening fire and brimstone against our supporters, and the primaries yesterday (Saturday) are a confirmation of our worst fears,” the statement said.
The group added that it could not, in good conscience, expose supporters to danger and mayhem.
“On this note, we have advised our principal, Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel, to distance himself from the senatorial primary election.
“We also hereby advise our supporters to stay away from the venues of the senatorial party primary election of Monday, May 18, 2026, for their own safety,” the statement added.
Speaking with Daily Trust, Daniel’s media aide, Steve Oliyide, confirmed that the former governor endorsed the decision to withdraw from the contest.
“Yes, because we cannot put our supporters in harm’s way. Their safety is more of our concern than the contest. If the party is ready to conduct a free and fair election and can guarantee the safety of our members, then we are game,” Oliyide said.
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