APC Rejigs Candidate List Ahead of Polls

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has removed 26 prominent aspirants, including former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam and former House of Representatives member Gbenga Elegbeleye, from its final list of National Assembly candidates submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The changes, approved by the APC National Working Committee (NWC), affect seven senatorial and 19 House of Representatives seats across nine states—Kogi, Abia, Benue, Taraba, Ondo, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna and Ebonyi.
NWC cites appeal panel recommendations
In a joint letter to INEC signed by the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, the APC explained that the replacements were based on the recommendations of its Primary Election Appeal Committee.
The letter stated:
“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 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 party added that the exercise complied with the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC 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,” the letter added.
Major Senate changes
The revised senatorial list includes the following replacements:
Benue North East: Gabriel Suswam replaced by Emmanuel Memga Udende.
Benue North West: Benjamin T. Aber replaced by Titus Tartenger Zam.
Ondo North: Gbenga Elegbeleye replaced by Olajide Ipinsagbe.
Ondo Central: Taiwo Fasorati replaced by Adeniyi Adegbonmire.
Kogi West: Aro Samuel Bamidele replaced by incumbent Senator Sunday Karimi.
Abia South: Edinburgh Uchenna Erondu replaced by Prince Paul Ikonne.
Taraba North: Mohammed Kabir Bello replaced by Shuibu Isa Lau.
House of Representatives records highest changes
The House of Representatives list recorded the highest number of substitutions.
In Benue State, five candidates were replaced, including Ikper Chris Terfa of Makurdi/Guma, who was replaced by Dickson Tarkighir, and Livinus Tsar Adzor of Vandeikya/Konshisha, who was replaced by Sesoo Ikpagher.
Ondo State recorded six changes, including Akingboye Leke, who was replaced by Donald Ojogo in Ilaje/Ese-Odo, and Rasaq Obe, who was replaced by Festus Olarewaju in Idanre.
Similar substitutions were also made in Taraba, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna and Ebonyi as the party finalized its list ahead of the general elections.
Implications
The latest adjustments reflect the APC’s effort to resolve disputes arising from its primary elections and present a united front ahead of the polls. However, the removal of established figures such as Gabriel Suswam and Gbenga Elegbeleye could spark internal discontent or defections in some key states.
Source: The Nation.