2027 Ticket Wars Shake States as APC, PDP, ADC Battle For Control
2027 Ticket Battles Trigger Tension Across States
POLITICAL maneuvering intensified across Nigeria on Thursday as parties formally opened the process for nominating candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections, unleashing fierce contests, protests, zoning disputes and behind-the-scenes negotiations in several states.
From Ogun to Delta, Adamawa to Katsina, and Oyo to Nasarawa, aspirants and party blocs are already locked in battles for governorship, senatorial and House of Representatives tickets.
While the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) appears to be the most active on the field, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) are treading cautiously amid unresolved leadership disputes awaiting judicial pronouncements.
Ogun APC Faces Internal Storm
In Ogun State, an APC stakeholders’ meeting in Abeokuta ended without agreement after former governor Ibikunle Amosun reportedly claimed he had President Bola Tinubu’s backing for the Ogun Central senatorial ticket.
The claim was challenged by rival aspirants and party elders, with some demanding proof of the alleged endorsement. Former governor Olusegun Osoba was said to have distanced himself from the claim.
Other contenders, including incumbent Senator Shuaib Salisu and former senator Gbenga Obadara, insisted they remained in the race.
Elsewhere in Ogun, supporters of Governor Dapo Abiodun and former governor Gbenga Daniel exchanged accusations over the declaration of Abiodun as APC candidate for Ogun East.
Oyo Politics Heats Up
Former Power Minister Bayo Adelabu, now seeking the APC governorship ticket in Oyo State, dismissed claims that President Tinubu or the Olubadan of Ibadanland had endorsed any aspirant.
He described the race as open and said the President had advised stakeholders to pursue consensus or conduct primaries.
Within the PDP, uncertainty remains as Governor Seyi Makinde is yet to publicly back a successor while the party waits for a Supreme Court ruling on its leadership crisis.
Delta: Heavyweights Clash for Senate Seats
Delta State is witnessing one of the fiercest early contests.
Former governor Ifeanyi Okowa, incumbent Senator Ned Nwoko and ex-Speaker Victor Ochei are all consulting widely for the Delta North senatorial ticket.
In Delta Central, former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege and Senator Ede Dafinone are preparing for a direct showdown.
Political observers say the contests could reshape party influence in the state.
Adamawa, Benue and Nasarawa in Fresh Disputes
In Adamawa, crisis continues in the ADC, with rival factions searching for alternative platforms after disputes over congresses and leadership.
Meanwhile, the APC chairman in the state has promised transparent primaries as more governorship aspirants emerge.
In Benue, disagreements between allies of Governor Hyacinth Alia and SGF George Akume have spilled into protests over zoning and candidate selection.
In Nasarawa, Governor Abdullahi Sule’s endorsement of Senator Ahmed Wadada as successor has generated backlash from rival camps, though many party stakeholders have endorsed the move.
Northern States Join the Contest
Former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika has declared interest in the APC senatorial ticket for Katsina North.
In Kano, ex-presidential aide Nasir Bala Ja’oji launched a House of Representatives bid with a mass rally in Tarauni.
In Plateau, former Deputy Speaker Ahmed Idris Wase is facing resistance from groups demanding rotation of the federal constituency seat after years of dominance.
Consensus, Endorsements and Rising Stakes
Across states such as Ondo, Enugu, Kwara and Abia, parties are also exploring consensus candidacies, strategic endorsements and zoning formulas.
With nomination deadlines approaching, political analysts say the early turbulence shows that the real battle for 2027 may begin inside party primaries long before the general election.
