Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, his deputy, Jibrin Barau, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele and Senate Chief Whip, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, are among the top politicians expected to contest today’s All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primaries.
Serving governors seeking APC senatorial tickets include Hope Uzodimma of Imo, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa and Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe.
Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is also in the race for Kogi Central, where he is expected to face incumbent senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Former Gombe State Governor and serving senator, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, will also seek to defend his seat against Governor Inuwa Yahaya.
Other former governors in the race include Jolly Nyame of Taraba, Simon Lalong of Plateau and Danjuma Goje of Gombe.
Former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, has also declared interest in the Delta Central senatorial seat.
Some Aspirants Emerge Unopposed
Several Senate leaders have reportedly emerged unopposed in their districts, while many serving governors are said to have secured consensus nominations ahead of the primaries.
The APC began its primaries on Saturday with aspirants for House of Representatives seats, ahead of today’s senatorial exercise.
The party has set up primary appeal committees across the states to handle complaints from the exercise.
In a statement, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, urged members of the committees to be fair and just.
The party also directed officials sent from Abuja to adopt indirect primaries in areas where stakeholders failed to reach a consensus.