All Progressives Congress (APC) has made sweeping changes to its list of National Assembly candidates for the forthcoming general elections, replacing 26 aspirants, including former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam and former House of Representatives member Gbenga Elegbeleye.
The revised list, approved by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), was submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and affects seven senatorial districts and 19 House of Representatives constituencies across nine states—Kogi, Abia, Benue, Taraba, Ondo, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna and Ebonyi.
According to a joint letter addressed to INEC and signed by APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, the changes followed recommendations made by the party’s Primary Election Appeal Committee.
“We write to formally forward the attached list of the party’s candidates for the affected senatorial and House of Representatives constituencies arising from the report of the Primary Election Appeal Committee,” the letter stated.
The party explained that the committee’s report was carefully reviewed before the final decision was reached.
“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 APC also stressed that the exercise was conducted in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and the guidelines issued by INEC.
“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.”»
*Major Changes in Senatorial Races*
Among the most notable replacements is former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam, who was removed as the party’s candidate for Benue North East Senatorial District and replaced by Emmanuel Memga Udende.
In Benue North West, Benjamin T. Aber was replaced by Titus Tartenger Zam.
Former lawmaker Gbenga Elegbeleye also lost the APC ticket for Ondo North Senatorial District, with Olajide Ipinsagbe emerging as the party’s candidate. In Ondo Central, Taiwo Fasorati was substituted with Adeniyi Adegbonmire.
Other senatorial changes include the replacement of Aro Samuel Bamidele with incumbent Senator Sunday Karimi in Kogi West, Edinburgh Uchenna Erondu with Prince Paul Ikonne in Abia South, and Mohammed Kabir Bello with Shuibu Isa Lau in Taraba North.
*House of Representatives List Sees Extensive Shake-Up*
The House of Representatives category recorded the highest number of substitutions, particularly in Benue and Ondo states.
In Benue, five candidates were replaced. Among them, Ikper Chris Terfa, who had emerged for the Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency, was replaced by Dickson Tarkighir, while Livinus Tsar Adzor lost the Vandekiya/Konshisha ticket to Sesoo Ikpagher.
Ondo State also witnessed significant changes, with six federal constituency candidates replaced.
Akingboye Leke was substituted by Donald Ojogo for the Ilaje/Ese-Odo seat, while Rasaq Obe was replaced by Festus Olarewaju for the Idanre Federal Constituency.
The party also confirmed further substitutions in Taraba, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna and Ebonyi states as it finalized its list of candidates for the elections.
*APC Moves to Resolve Primary Disputes*
The latest adjustments appear to be part of the APC’s efforts to resolve disputes arising from its primary elections and present a unified front ahead of the polls.
However, the removal of prominent political figures such as Gabriel Suswam and Gbenga Elegbeleye is expected to generate fresh political reactions and could spark internal disagreements or possible defections in some of the affected states.
The Nation
