The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress has dropped former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, former House of Representatives member, Gbenga Elegbeleye, and 24 other National Assembly candidates from the party’s final list submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
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The affected candidates include seven senatorial nominees and 19 House of Representatives candidates who had emerged from the party’s primary elections held in May.
The changes were communicated to INEC in a letter jointly signed by the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, and the National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru.
According to the party, the replacements followed the recommendations of its Primary Election Appeal Committee after reviewing appeals arising from the recently concluded primaries.
The letter, titled “Forwarding of Approved List of Senatorial and House of Representatives Candidates,” stated that the NWC had reviewed, considered and approved the report of the Appeal Committee as the party’s final position on the affected constituencies.
“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 letter read in part.
It added, “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.”
Among the senatorial changes, Senator Sunday Karimi replaced Aro Samuel Bamidele as the APC candidate for Kogi West, while Prince Paul Ikonne replaced Edinburgh Uchenna Erondu in Abia South.
In Benue North-East, former Governor Suswam lost the APC ticket to Emmanuel Memga Udende, while Titus Tartenger Zam replaced Benjamin T. Aber in Benue North-West.
In Taraba North, Shuibu Isa Lau replaced Mohammed Kabir Bello, while Adeniyi Adegbonmire replaced Taiwo Fasoranti in Ondo Central.
Elegbeleye, who had been listed for Ondo North, was replaced with Olajide Ipinsagba.
Benue State recorded the highest number of changes in the House of Representatives category, with five federal constituencies affected.
In Makurdi/Guma, Dickson Tarkighir replaced Ikper Chris Terfa; in Vandeikya/Konshisha, Sesoo Ikpagher replaced Livinus Tsar Adzor; while in Kwande/Ushongo, Terser Ugbor replaced Kohol Shedrach Iornem.
Also in Benue, Sekav Dzua Iyortyom replaced Gideon Inyom in Buruku, while Austin Asema Achado displaced Nongo David in Gwer East/Gwer West.
In Taraba State, Peter Abel Diah replaced Sanusi Mohammed Galadima in Gashaka/Kurmi/Sardauna Federal Constituency.
Niger State recorded two changes, with Abubakar Lado Abdullahi replacing Adamu Tanko in Suleja/Tafa/Gurara, while Adamu Suleiman replaced Adamu Usman in Lavun/Edati/Mokwa.
In Kwara State, Raheem Tunji Olawuyi replaced Olasumbo Florence Oyeyemi in Ekiti/Irepodun/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency, while Mohammed Mamman replaced Bello Tauheed Abubakar in Edu/Patigi/Moro.
Ondo State recorded six changes in the House of Representatives category.
Donald Ojogo replaced Akingboye Leke in Ilaje/Ese-Odo; Festus Olarewaju replaced Rasaq Obe in Idanre; Oluwatimehin Akintomide replaced Kayode Ijalana in Owo/Ose; while Okunjinmi John Odimayo displaced Olumuyiwa Daramola in Okitipupa/Irele.
Also in Ondo, Michel Olamidotun Akintomide replaced Abiola Makinde in Ondo West/Ondo East, while Festus Ayodele Adefiranye replaced Oyerinmade Matthew in Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo/Odigbo.
Other changes include Abdulazeez Kaka replacing Samaila Abdu Suleiman in Kaduna North, Samuel Okezie replacing Chris Nkwonta in Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency of Abia State, and Ekumankama Joseph Nkama replacing Iduma Igariwey Enwo in Afikpo North/Edda Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State.
The APC said the revised list represents its approved candidates for the affected senatorial districts and federal constituencies, following the conclusion of internal appeals from the primaries.
The development is expected to generate further reactions in the affected states, particularly among aspirants and supporters who had earlier celebrated the outcome of the May primary elections.
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