The APC candidate changes approved by the National Working Committee (NWC) have resulted in the replacement of 25 National Assembly aspirants, including former Benue State Governor Senator Gabriel Suswam and former Ondo lawmaker Gbenga Elegbeleye, following the review of petitions arising from the party’s primary elections.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) said the revised list followed recommendations submitted by its Primary Election Appeal Committee after reviewing disputes from the May primaries. The updated list, signed by National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda and National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, was forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In its communication to the electoral commission, the party said the changes reflected its final position after considering appeals from affected constituencies. According to the APC, the revised list covers seven senatorial districts and 19 House of Representatives constituencies in line with the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC guidelines.
The APC candidate changes affected aspirants in Kogi, Abia, Benue, Taraba, Ondo, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna and Ebonyi states.
Among the senatorial substitutions: Senator Sunday Karimi replaced Aro Samuel Bamidele in Kogi West, Prince Paul Ikonne replaced Edinburgh Uchenna Erondu in Abia South, Emmanuel Memga Udende replaced Gabriel Suswam in Benue North East, Titus Tartenger Zam replaced Benjamin T. Aber in Benue North West, Shuibu Isa Lau replaced Mohammed Kabir Bello in Taraba North, Adeniyi Adegbonmire replaced Taiwo Fasoranti in Ondo Central, Olajide Ipinsagba replaced Gbenga Elegbeleye in Ondo North.
Benue recorded the highest number of House of Representatives substitutions, while additional changes were made across Taraba, Niger, Kwara, Ondo, Kaduna, Abia and Ebonyi.
Party sources told Vanguard that political considerations beyond the Appeal Committee report also influenced some decisions. One source alleged that the Benue North East replacement reflected the ongoing political rivalry between Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia.
According to the source, Suswam’s removal was linked to efforts to consolidate party leadership in the state. However, the APC has officially maintained that the substitutions were based on the Appeal Committee’s recommendations.
Vanguard also reported that the party has empowered governors and key stakeholders to supervise the distribution of INEC nomination forms to approved candidates. Although nomination forms have been sent to State Working Committees, candidates enjoying the backing of governors and influential party leaders are expected to receive priority during the submission process. The full list of candidates has yet to be published.
APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka explained that the party received more than 700 petitions after the primaries and is currently focused on ensuring candidates complete their nomination documents before INEC’s submission deadline of July 11. He said the publication of the complete list would come after the nomination process.
The APC candidate changes come as the ruling party intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections. Party leaders are also working to resolve disagreements that emerged during the primaries. The Progressive Governors’ Forum recently resolved to hold consultations with APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda to address concerns raised by party stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the distribution of nomination forms continues across APC-controlled states, with several first-term governors securing re-election tickets and second-term governors backing preferred successors ahead of the 2027 polls.
