By Damilola Origbemisuyi, Akure; Alo Abiola; Patrick Ochoga, Benin City; Aza Msue, Kaduna; Femi Oyeweso, Abeokuta; Emmanuel Mgbeahurike; Babaji Usman Babaji; and Felix Igbekoyi, Asaba
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will hold its senatorial primaries today ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It is the second phase of the party’s primaries following Saturday’s House of Representatives contest.
The build-up to the APC senatorial primaries has generated heightened tension in some states more than others. While the nature of the tussles differs across the hotspot states, the eventual outcome of the primaries could, if not properly managed, affect the party’s standing ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At the centre of the disputes is opposition to consensus arrangements, usually proposed by state party leaderships and backed by governors.
In the states under focus, the key actors are largely incumbent governors, former governors, and current and former ranking senators, reflecting an intense grassroots power struggle.
The contests are also part of a broader political calculation for principal offices in the Red Chamber, as some of the aspirants are ranking lawmakers in the Senate.
All Eyes on Goje/Yahaya in Gombe
The senatorial primaries in Gombe State may be largely routine across Gombe North and Gombe South senatorial districts.
However, in Gombe Central, the contest has evolved into a major test of political influence between incumbent Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and former governor Muhammad Danjuma Goje.
Consensus arrangements appear to have gone largely unchallenged in Gombe North and Gombe South, with no serious rivals to the governor seeking the tickets, while Dr Jerry Damara has emerged as the consensus aspirant for Gombe South. Both the governor and Dr Damara are expected to challenge the two serving PDP senators in the 2027 elections.
But the atmosphere in Gombe Central remains tense after Goje rejected the APC’s consensus decision endorsing retired Deputy Commissioner of Police Mohammed Ahmed Deba as the preferred aspirant.
The disagreement has deepened the rift between Governor Yahaya and Goje, who is widely regarded as the governor’s former political benefactor.
In recent weeks, political meetings in Akko and Yamaltu/Deba local government areas have intensified, with pro-Goje groups insisting on continuity, while anti-Goje blocs backed by Governor Yahaya have pushed for a power shift to Yamaltu/Deba after nearly 16 years of representation by Akko LGA.
Although the governor and Senator Goje belong to different senatorial zones, analysts believe the agitation reflects a succession battle within the APC ahead of the 2027 elections and beyond.
Goje, who enjoys substantial support among constituents seeking his fifth term in the Senate, has insisted that only a lawful direct primary recognised by the Electoral Act can determine the party’s candidate, describing any attempt at imposition as undemocratic.
On the other hand, influential constituents backed by Governor Yahaya insist that only a power shift between the two LGAs can ensure fairness.
Saturday’s House of Representatives primaries may already have offered clues to today’s senatorial outcome. Across the six federal constituencies, aspirants earlier endorsed through the party’s consensus arrangement emerged victorious in Saturday’s direct primaries, reinforcing perceptions that the party hierarchy retains strong control over the process.
With influential interests aligning behind the consensus candidates, observers believe the odds may favour Deba.
