More political parties yesterday concluded their governorship primary elections.
From consensus endorsements to fiercely contested ballots, winners emerged across seven states, each launching their visions for governance, infrastructure, and regional security, reports The Nation.
Adamawa
In Adamawa State, former Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) and former Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Omar Suleiman, clinched the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship ticket.
Chairman of the State Primary Election Committee, Dr. Nicholas Msheliza, declared Suleiman the winner.
The comprehensive results from the state’s 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs) showed that Suleiman secured a landslide victory, polling an impressive total of 143,216 votes.
He defeated his closest rival, Hamman Tukur Modibbo, who obtained 56,801 votes, while third-placed Ishaya Inuwa received 20,343 votes.
Suleiman said: “My agenda places supreme emphasis on job creation and youth empowerment to secure our state’s future.”
Lagos
The Lagos State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) produced Mr. Femi Olaniyi, popularly known as “Ferrari,” as its consensus governorship candidate.
Olaniyi, a prominent political figure and former Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Lagos State, emerged during the party’s primary held in Somolu, Lagos.
The exercise drew delegates and stakeholders from all 20 local government areas and was monitored by officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Primate Henry Amike, Chairman of the SDP Governorship Primary Electoral Committee for Lagos State, announced that Olaniyi had been unanimously adopted.
Amike explained that the decision strictly followed the legal framework governing political parties.
Olaniyi promised a safer and more prosperous Lagos, pledging immediate investments in smart policing, road rehabilitation, and expanding rail and water transportation to tackle gridlock.
“No Lagos resident should spend four hours in traffic,” he insisted, concluding, “We are ready to serve, not rule… Together, we will make Lagos work for everyone, not just a few.”
Niger
In Niger State, retired director from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Dr. Mohammed Kpautagi, emerged as the ADC governorship flagbearer.
Secretary of the ADC Primary Election Committee in Niger State, Ibrahim Mohammed, announced the results in Minna.
He said Kpautagi polled 67,924 votes to defeat his opponent, Idris Usman Makanta, who scored 21,769 votes.
Kpautagi launched a sharp attack on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, lambasting them for failing to maintain critical transit corridors.
Highlighting the poor condition of major roads into the state, Kpautagi said two years in office would be more than enough to fix the state’s crumbling infrastructure, curb banditry, and correct failed governance.
Kano
Alhaji Muhammad Bello Dalhatu secured the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket for Kano State after defeating Muhammad Sani Abacha, the eldest son of the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha.
According to results released by the PDP Kano State Governorship Primary Election Committee, Dalhatu Committee Chairman Umar Danjani Hadejia confirmed that Dalhatu won by clearing the highest number of valid votes cast.
Hadejia described the exercise as peaceful, transparent, and conducted in strict compliance with the party’s constitution.
He commended the aspirants, delegates, and security agencies for their maturity, urging all members in Kano to close ranks and work collectively to ensure the PDP triumphs in 2027.
Plateau
Prominent Nigerian entrepreneur, philanthropist, and founder of the Kefiano Group, Chief Kefas Wungak Ropshik, has won a fiercely contested PDP governorship primary in Plateau State.
Ropshik secured a commanding victory by polling 19,938 votes, defeating three other aspirants in an exercise that drew delegates from all 17 LGAs.
In his acceptance speech, Ropshik dedicated his victory to God and reiterated his “Plateau First” philosophy, emphasising service, inclusiveness, and sustainable development.
In a notable political move that drew widespread applause, Ropshik publicly pledged to serve only a single four-year term if elected, explaining:
“Keeping in line with the already laid out zoning agreement that keeps the peace, stability and unity of the Plateau people together, I intend to spend just four years in government, which by the special grace of God will usher in the impact of an eight-year administration.”
He extended an olive branch to his fellow contestants, urging the party to unite across ethnic and religious divides to rebuild the state with competence, justice, and accountability.
Nasarawa
Maj.-Gen. Nuhu Angbazo (rtd) has emerged as the ADC governorship candidate for Nasarawa State. Angbazo won the ticket with 23,931 votes, defeating former Minister of Environment Muhammed Abdullahi Hassan (18,197 votes), incumbent Senator Onawo Mohammed Ogoshi (15,282 votes), and Dr. Osana Odenye (4,797 votes).
Chairman of the ADC primary election committee, Solomon Dalong, announced the results at the party secretariat in Lafia, revealing that the process encountered major irregularities in four LGAs: Doma, Nasarawa, Karu, and Toto.
While issues in Doma and Nasarawa were resolved, results from Toto and Karu were completely discarded due to fraudulent behavior by electoral officers. Dalong explained the committee’s decision:
“The returning officer in Toto LGA disappeared after collecting materials and was not seen anywhere in Toto until he appeared with the result in the night for submission, a development the committee rejected… In Karu LGA, the electoral officer collected materials, proceeded to Karu, distributed materials and suddenly disappeared, only for the party chairman of Karu LGA who has no relationship with the process to bring a result for submission, so we rejected it as a committee.”
Tabulating the valid votes from the remaining 11 out of 13 LGAs, Dalong declared: “General Nuhu Angbazo, having scored 23,931, is returned elected.”
Oyo
Olakunle Busari, popularly called “Goodugoodu”, emerged as the governorship candidate of the Accord party in Oyo State.
The primary was monitored by the Accord National Secretary, Adebukola Ajaja and INEC officials.
Busari polled 29,427 votes to clinch the party’s ticket, defeating two other aspirants in the contest.
According to the results, Oriyomi Hazmat garnered 18,716 votes, while Fatai Owoseni polled 11,922 votes.
“I am ready to work with everybody. We will work together and brainstorm for the progress and development of Oyo State,” Busari said, promising to build on existing developmental efforts.
