…Wike ally Kingsley Chinda grabs Rivers APC guber ticket amid wave of consensus “affirmations” nationwide
By Chike Ofili
A wave of consensus endorsements swept through the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday as several incumbent governors, including Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, secured their party’s 2027 governorship tickets unopposed across the country.
The coordinated endorsements, which played out in Delta, Kaduna, Niger, Kano, Sokoto, Jigawa and Zamfara states, underscored the dominance of incumbent governors within the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In Delta State, the APC formally ratified Oborevwori’s return ticket after a direct primary conducted across the 25 local government areas of the state. Announcing the results at the party’s secretariat in Asaba, Chairman of the Governorship Primary Election Committee, Vita Okafor, declared that the governor polled 345,375 votes.
Okafor said the exercise complied with APC constitutional provisions and electoral guidelines, describing Oborevwori as duly returned as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
The Delta APC leadership praised the governor’s policies and programmes, saying his administration had positively impacted the state and strengthened the party’s fortunes.
In Kaduna State, Governor Uba Sani also emerged unchallenged after securing 459,393 affirmation votes during the party’s governorship primary.
Chairman of the Kaduna APC Governorship and House of Assembly Primary Election Committee, Hafiz Kawu, described the exercise as peaceful and transparent, saying it reflected growing unity within the party.
Speaking after his affirmation, Sani thanked party members and residents for what he called a strong vote of confidence in his administration.
“We have made significant progress in restoring peace, strengthening unity and expanding development across Kaduna State through dialogue, inclusion and people-oriented policies,” the governor stated.
In Niger State, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago was adopted as the APC’s sole governorship candidate following a consensus arrangement endorsed by party stakeholders.
Chairman of the electoral committee and returning officer, Danlami Abubakar, said Bago fulfilled all nomination requirements and enjoyed overwhelming support across the state.
Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, who moved the motion for Bago’s adoption, said the governor had demonstrated commitment to development, party unity and inclusive governance.
Bago, in his response, promised to intensify reconciliation efforts within the party and sustain ongoing development initiatives across the state.
In Kano, the APC adopted Governor Abba Yusuf as its consensus candidate during a congress held at the Sani Abacha Stadium.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin moved the motion endorsing Yusuf for a second term, citing his leadership and commitment to Kano’s development.
The motion was seconded by Senator Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, who said party members remained united behind the governor’s candidacy.
Yusuf pledged to continue implementing projects in education, healthcare, agriculture, youth empowerment, and infrastructure if re-elected.
In Rivers State, a key ally of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Kingsley Chinda, emerged as the APC governorship candidate after polling 268,497 votes in the party primary.
Chairman of the screening committee, Bitrus Kwamoti, described the exercise as peaceful and successful.
In Sokoto State, Governor Ahmed Aliyu was affirmed as the APC governorship candidate for the 2027 election during a supervised affirmation exercise attended by party officials and INEC representatives.
Former governor and senator, Aliyu Wamakko, hailed the overwhelming support shown to the governor, saying it reflected public confidence in the administration’s development agenda.
Aliyu, in his remarks, described the affirmation as a renewed mandate to deepen security, infrastructure development, and social welfare programmes across the state.
Similarly, Governor Umar Namadi was unanimously affirmed as the APC consensus governorship candidate in Jigawa State during a voice vote conducted at Dutse Township Stadium.
Namadi thanked party leaders and stakeholders for the confidence reposed in him, promising to continue ongoing development projects across the state.
Former governors Ali Sa’adu Birnin Kudu and Saminu Turaki were among the dignitaries present at the event.
Also in Zamfara State, Governor Dauda Lawal secured affirmation as the APC’s consensus governorship candidate after a voice vote by thousands of delegates in Gusau.
Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Baba Galadima-Uba, said the process complied with the Electoral Act and APC guidelines.
The exercise was monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Mahmud Isah.
The widespread consensus endorsements are being interpreted within political circles as a strategic move by the APC leadership to avoid divisive contests and consolidate internal unity ahead of the 2027 elections.