APC Primary Results Rejected Across Six Nigerian States Over Fraud Allegations

The All Progressives Congress faces a wave of internal disputes following its primary elections across at least six Nigerian states, with multiple defeated candidates rejecting results and alleging widespread manipulation. The controversies span senatorial and House of Representatives contests held between May 16 and May 20, 2026, threatening party cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In Ekiti North, incumbent Senator Cyril Fasuyi was declared winner with 14,179 votes, but former Senator Ayodele Arise and aspirants Dare Owolabi and Otunba Oluwadare Owolabi all rejected the outcome. Arise cited results from 33 wards showing he led before disruption, while Owolabi described the exercise as terrorism against democracy, citing violence, lack of accreditation, and the use of government employees as supervisors. Fasuyi dismissed the allegations and urged unity.

In Delta North, Senator Ned Nwoko challenged the declaration of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as winner, claiming he possesses video evidence from all 98 wards proving manipulation by the Delta State Government. Nwoko expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu would intervene. Separately, in Delta's Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency, stakeholders accused a returning officer of substituting ward-level results with a doctored sheet, omitting incumbent Nicholas Mutu's victories in five wards.

In Nasarawa North, Governor Abdullahi Sule won the senatorial primary, but reports cited irregularities including absent voting at several centers and conflicting vote tallies. Aspirant Jacob Ajegana Kudu rejected the Eggon East Constituency results, claiming no election actually took place. Petitions have been filed with APC national leadership.

In Kogi East, Joseph Erico won with 73,317 votes against incumbent Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho's 51 votes. Echocho accused Governor Usman Ododo of hijacking materials to eliminate a future gubernatorial rival and threatened to challenge Ododo in 2027. Party stakeholders defended the process, citing a zoning arrangement.

APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda stated the party has internal mechanisms to resolve the disputes, but critics warn that unresolved grievances could fracture the party before the general elections.