Two former governors, Adamu Aliero (Kebbi) and Ikedi Ohakim (Imo) yesterday pulled out of the race for the senatorial tickets of the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing irregularities. 

Daily Trust on Sunday reports that the ruling party had conducted the primary across the country to elect its senatorial candidates for 2023 general elections

In Kebbi, the former governor of the state, Senator Aliero announced his withdrawal from the race for the Kebbi North ticket of the APC.

With his withdrawal, Kebbi State governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has picked the ruling party ticket for the area.

There were indications that Aliero, who was governor of the state between 1999 and 2007, may likely dump the APC for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

His rift with Bagudu has polarised the APC in the state.

For his part, Ohakim, who is aspiring for the Imo North senatorial zone announced his withdrawal from the race in a letter addressed to the National Chairman of APC, Abdullahi Adamu through the chairman of the party in Imo state.

Ohakim said he withdrew from the race after he consulted his family and close associates.

Yari, Marafa win in Zamfara

Former Governor Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar and Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa yesterday won the APC senatorial tickets at the primary election which was held in all the three senatorial zones of the state.

Yari emerged unopposed during the exercise  which took place at his home local government headquarters of Talata Mafara.

Marafa also clinched the ticket for Zamfara Central while that of Zamfara North was won by Senator Sahabi Yau.

In Kaduna, a former Commissioner for Planning and Budget Mohammed Sani Dattijo emerged winner of the All Progressives Congress primary election for Kaduna Senatorial election, hours after two of his challengers, Rabi Salisu and Dr Usman Garba stepped down from the race.

Declaring the result, Chairman of the APC election committee, Ahmad Mai Yaki Datti got 388 votes to emerge winner.

Goje, Alkali, Lidani clinch Gombe tickets

Meanwhile, Senator Muhammadu Danjuma Goje was yesterday declared winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary to contest for Gombe Central Senatorial District.

Chairman of the electoral committee, Dr Danjuma Dabo said Goje polled 100 votes to defeat Abubakar Mu’azu Hassan who scored 3 votes and Senator Idris Umar Abdullahi who got 2 votes.

Also, incumbent Senator Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali scored 216 votes to clinch the ticket for the Gombe North Senatorial District.

Meanwhile, for the Gombe South Senatorial District, the incumbent Senator Bulus K Amos failed in his bid to return to the senate for a second term.

He was defeated by Senator Joshua Lidani, a one time senator who represented the zone between 2011 and 2019.

Kalu unopposed in Abia North  

Chief Whip of the 9th Senate, Chief Orji Uzor-Kalu, has won the ticket of the All Progressive Congress to represent the Abia North senatorial district for a second time unopposed. He polled 777 votes to emerge victorious.  

The returning officer for senatorial primary election, Chief Paul Onwuka, declared him winner of the exercise.

In Nasarawa, senator representing Nasarawa South Senatorial zone in the National Assembly, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, won his ticket through a voice vote.

Shettima, Ndume get return tickets  

In Borno, Senator Kashim Shettima won his return ticket for Borno Central Senatorial District unopposed, during the exercise held in Maiduguri.  

Similarly, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume emerged victorious after defeating other contenders.  

He garnered 432 votes ahead of Alhaji Idrissa Dukwa who got 65 votes and Mohammed Tumala who got 2 votes.   

Ambode’s deputy, Ayade’s Chief of Staff, Abiru, Bamidele clinch ticket

Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule won the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary for Lagos West.

She defeated her rival and former Defence Minister, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro to clinch the party’s ticket for the 2023 election.

Similarly, the Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Wasiu Eshinlokun- Sanni, clinched the party’s  ticket to contest the Lagos Central Senatorial District seat in the 2023 general elections.

Eshinlokun-Sanni defeated three other contestants for the ticket currently being held by Senator Oluremi, the wife of APC national lead

Oluremi Tinubu has occupied the seat since 2011.

In Lagos East Senatorial District, Senator Tokunbo Abiru was returned unopposed.

Announcing the result, the Returning Officer, Mr Fuad Oki, said Abiru won with 344 votes cast with no invalid vote.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, was also returned unopposed by 285 delegates during the Ekiti Central Senatorial Primary election of the APC.

In his acceptance speech, the lawmaker also thanked the leaders of the party in the state, especially Gov. Kayode Fayemi.

In the same vein, Lagos West Senator, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola won the APC ticket for Ogun West Senatorial district of Ogun State.

Adeola popularly known as Yayi polled 294 votes to defeat his main rival and incumbent Senator representing the zone, Tolu Odebiyi, who scored zero.

The Lagos West Senator recently relocated to the state and joined the Ogun West Senate race, in a sweeping movement tagged “West2West Agenda.”

Also, the Chief of Staff to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Alhaji Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, was declared winner of the Ogun Central Senatorial District primary election held on Saturday.

 Salisu polled a total of 301 votes to defeat other aspirants.

Also, the Chief of Staff to Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State, Mr Martins Orim emerged the Cross River Northern Senatorial Zone candidate.

The state’s former Commissioner for Finance, Asuquo Ekpenyong jnr, also clinched the ticket for Cross River South. Ekpenyong polled 347 votes to defeat his rival, Victor Ekpo who scored zero.  

Oshiomole wins

Former Governor of Edo State and ex-national chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomole, clinched the party’s ticket for Edo North Senatorial District.

Oshiomole scored 309 votes to pick the APC ticket while his opponent, incumbent Senator Francis Alimikhena, polled five votes at the party primary election held in Auchi, Edo.

Also, Mr Valentine Asuen defeated former Edo Deputy Governor, Lucky Imasuen to emerge the candidate of the APC for Edo South Senatorial election.

Asuen polled 215 votes while Imasuen got 160 votes at the party primaries held in Benin.

Governor David Umahi’s younger brother, Austin Umahi, won the party’s ticket for Ebonyi South Senatorial zone of the state.

Umahi, a former National Vice Chairman, South East of the PDP, polled 279 out of the 284 votes of accredited voters during the primaries held at the headquarters of Afikpo North Local Government Area.

Mrs Adaku Ogbu polled 270 votes out of the 284 votes cast to emerge the Enugu East senatorial candidate of the APC in Enugu State.

Niger gov wins as Adeyemi, lose in Kogi  

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State defeated the incumbent senator, Aliyu Abdullahi Sabi with 335 votes against 7 votes to emerge the APC flag bearer for Niger North Senatorial District.  

However, Senator Sani Musa of Niger East Senatorial District won with 492 votes while his rival, Dr Dada Nakowa scored 2 votes.  

In Kogi State, Senator Smart Adeyemi lost his return bid for the Kogi West senatorial district as he was defeated by Sunday Karimi.  

However, Senator Jibrin Isah (Echocho) however won his return ticket for Kogi East Senatorial District.  

Ogun: Gbenga Daniel, Jimoh Ibrahim get ticket

Former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel  won the APC ticket to contest Ogun East Senatorial District election in 2023.

The incumbent senator representing the district, Lekan Mustapha had reportedly withdrawn from the primary following the intervention of the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona.

Also, a business mogul, Jimoh Ibrahim, secured the party’s ticket for Ondo South Senatorial District.

He got 190 votes to defeat other aspirants.

Meanwhile, a former Minister of State for Niger Delta, Tayo Alasoadura, failed to get the ticket of the APC for Ondo Central Senatorial District.

A senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adeniyi Adegbonmire, polled 144 votes to beat Alasoadura, who recorded 88 votes.

Confusion in Imo, Oyo

Meanwhile, there was confusion at the primary election of the APC in Imo State as one of the contestants; Mrs. Becky Akeredolu protested the consensus option adopted by the party in choosing its candidate for the 2023 election

Trouble started when Akeredolu, who is contesting for the Imo West Senatorial seat, arrived at the party secretariat with her supporters.

However, she was told that candidates would emerge by consensus.

An enraged Akeredolu, who is the wife of Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, insisted that candidates must emerge by election.

However, policemen chased Akeredolu and her supporters out of the premises to continue their protest outside the secretariat.

There was also commotion in Oyo State as the primaries in Oyo South and Oyo North were marred by protests. However, Dr. Yinus Akintunde was pronounced winner in Oyo central senatorial district.

Meanwhile the party postponed its primary for Abia Central Senatorial District till May 29 over alleged discrepancies in the delegates’ list.