The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has approved changes to its list of National Assembly candidates, dropping former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam, former House of Representatives member Gbenga Elegbeleye, and 24 other prominent aspirants from its final submission to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The party’s decision affected seven senatorial districts and 19 House of Representatives constituencies across nine states, namely Kogi, Abia, Benue, Taraba, Ondo, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna, and Ebonyi.
The revised list was transmitted to INEC through a joint letter signed by APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru.
Titled “Forwarding of Approved List of Senatorial and House of Representatives Candidates,” the letter explained that the substitutions followed the recommendations of the party’s Primary Election Appeal Committee after a comprehensive review of petitions arising from the primaries.
The letter stated:
“We write to formally forward the attached list of the party’s candidates for the affected senatorial and House of Representatives candidates’ constituencies arising from the report of the Primary Election Appeal Committee.”
“Following the determination of Appeals from the recently concluded primary elections, the Reports of the Appeal Committee were reviewed and subsequently considered and approved by the NWC of the APC as the party’s final position on the affected constituencies.”
The ruling party further stressed that the changes were made in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.
“In accordance with the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) and INEC’s regulations and guidelines, we hereby transmit the enclosed list of the approved candidates for seven senatorial districts and 19 House of Representatives constituencies for your records and necessary action. Please accept the assurance of our highest regards,”
Among the most notable changes, former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam lost the Benue North East senatorial ticket to Emmanuel Memga Udende, while Titus Tartenger Zam replaced Benjamin T. Aber in Benue North West.
In Ondo State, former National Sports Commission boss Gbenga Elegbeleye was replaced by Olajide Ipinsagbe as the APC’s candidate for Ondo North Senatorial District. Similarly, Adeniyi Adegbonmire replaced Taiwo Fasorati in Ondo Central.
Other major substitutions include Senator Sunday Karimi replacing Aro Samuel Bamidele in Kogi West, Prince Paul Ikonne replacing Edinburgh Uchenna Erondu in Abia South, and Shuibu Isa Lau replacing Mohammed Kabir Bello in Taraba North.
The shake-up also extended to House of Representatives tickets, with 19 candidates across the affected states losing their nominations.
Benue recorded one of the highest numbers of substitutions, with five candidates replaced, including Ikper Chris Terfa, who lost the Makurdi/Guma seat to Dickson Tarkighir, and Livinus Tsar Adzor, who was replaced by Sesoo Ikpagher in Vandekiya/Konshsha.
Ondo State also witnessed significant changes, with six federal constituency candidates substituted. Among them, Donald Ojogo replaced Akingboye Leke in Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency, while Festus Olarewaju replaced Rasaq Obe in Idanre Federal Constituency.
Further substitutions were made in Taraba, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna, and Ebonyi states as the APC moved to conclude internal disputes and present its final candidates ahead of the general elections.
