Before the primary, pundits noted three major candidates: businessman Jerry Chukwueke, businessman Alex Mbata, and Ondo State First Lady Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu. On 28 May, the primary was disrupted by thugs who forced Anyanwu-Akeredolu to flee the venue. After the escape, Anyanwu-Akeredolu told the party that "any result coming from this kangaroo election...should be rejected" and claimed that Governor Hope Uzodinma had hijacked the primary but when the primary process continued, she withdrew in protest in a letter saying "the circumstances that have shrouded events preceding this primary have proven to be far from [my] ideals." The primary was won by Mbata, who allegedly had the support of Uzodinma, with a 87% margin. In a post-primary statement, Mbata attempted to reach out to his former opponents but both Anyanwu-Akeredolu and Kemdi Opara rejected the primary.
