The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has updated its list of candidates for the 2027 National Assembly elections. They replaced 26 aspirants, including former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam and former House of Representatives member Gbenga Elegbeleye. This decision came after reviewing petitions from the party’s primary elections.
The 26 affected aspirants include seven senatorial candidates and 19 House of Representatives nominees from states like Benue, Ondo, Kogi, Abia, Taraba, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna, and Ebonyi. These candidates had originally emerged from the APC primaries held in May.
The changes were sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in a letter signed by the party’s National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, and National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru.
According to the APC leadership, these changes followed recommendations from the party’s Primary Election Appeal Committee. The recommendations were carefully considered and approved.
In the letter titled “Forwarding of Approved List of Senatorial and House of Representatives Candidates,” the party said the review process was completed. They examined appeals from aspirants who were not happy with the primary results. The NWC accepted the committee’s recommendations as the final decision for those constituencies.
The APC noted that the updated list was sent according to the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC’s rules for candidate nominations.
For the senatorial candidates, Kogi West senator Sunday Karimi was chosen as the APC candidate for Kogi West, replacing Aro Bamidele. Paul Ikonne took the Abia South ticket from Edinburgh Erondu.
In Benue North-east, Emmanuel Udende replaced Gabriel Suswam, while Titus Zam took over for Benjamin Aber in Benue North-west. The party also switched Mohammed Bello for Shuibu Lau in Taraba North, Taiwo Fasoranti for Adeniyi Adegbonmire in Ondo Central, and gave the Ondo North ticket to Olajide Ipinsagba instead of Gbenga Elegbeleye.
For the House of Representatives, Benue State had the highest number of changes, with five constituencies affected. Dickson Tarkighir now holds the party’s ticket for Makurdi/Guma, replacing Ikper Chris Terfa. Sesoo Ikpagher emerged for Vandeikya/Konshisha instead of Livinus Adzor.
Terser Ugbor replaced Kohol Shedrach Iornem in Kwande/Ushongo. Sekav Dzua Iyortyom took over from Gideon Inyom in Buruku, and Austin Asema Achado is now the candidate for Gwer East/Gwer West instead of Nongo David.
In Ondo State, six constituencies were also affected. Donald Ojogo took over from Akingboye Leke in Ilaje/Ese-Odo. Festus Olarewaju emerged for Idanre instead of Rasaq Obe, and Oluwatimehin Akintomide replaced Kayode Ijalana in Owo/Ose.
Additionally, Okunjinmi John Odimayo took the ticket from Olumuyiwa Daramola in Okitipupa/Irele. Michel Olamidotun Akintomide replaced Abiola Makinde in Ondo West/Ondo East, while Festus Ayodele Adefiranye emerged in place of Oyerinmade Matthew for Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo/Odigbo.
In Taraba State, Peter Diah replaced Sanusi Mohammed Galadima as the party’s candidate for Gashaka/Kurmi/Sardauna Federal Constituency.
Two constituencies in Niger State also saw changes. Abubakar Abdullahi replaced Adamu Tanko in Suleja/Tafa/Gurara, and Adamu Suleiman took over from Adamu Usman in Lavun/Edati/Mokwa.
In Kwara State, Raheem Olawuyi is now the APC candidate for Ekiti/Irepodun/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency, taking over from Olasumbo Oyeyemi. Mohammed Mamman succeeded Bello Tauheed Abubakar in Edu/Patigi/Moro.
Other changes include replacing Samaila Suleiman with Abdulazeez Kaka in Kaduna North Federal Constituency, Samuel Okezie taking over from Chris Nkwonta in Abia State’s Ukwa East/Ukwa West constituency, and Ekumankama Nkama replacing Iduma Enwo as the party’s candidate for Afikpo North/Edda Federal Constituency in Ebonyi State.
These changes represent the APC’s final list of candidates for the affected constituencies after resolving disputes from the party’s primary elections.
Drop your comment
No comments yet — be the first to drop the gist 👇