The All Progressives Congress (APC) has replaced 26 aspirants, including former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam and former House of Representatives member Gbenga Elegbeleye, in its final list of National Assembly candidates submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The changes, approved by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), affect seven senatorial districts and 19 House of Representatives constituencies across Kogi, Abia, Benue, Taraba, Ondo, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna and Ebonyi states.
In a joint letter signed by the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, the party said the substitutions followed the recommendations of its Primary Election Appeal Committee.
According to the letter, the appeal committee’s report was reviewed and approved by the NWC as the party’s final decision on the affected constituencies.
The APC said the exercise was conducted in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Among the changes in the senatorial category, Gabriel Suswam was replaced by Emmanuel Memga Udende for Benue North East, while Benjamin T. Aber gave way to Titus Tartenger Zam for Benue North West.
In Ondo State, Gbenga Elegbeleye was replaced by Olajide Ipinsagbe for Ondo North, while Taiwo Fasorati was substituted with Adeniyi Adegbonmire for Ondo Central.
In Kogi West, incumbent Senator Sunday Karimi replaced Aro Samuel Bamidele, while Prince Paul Ikonne replaced Edinburgh Uchenna Erondu in Abia South. Shuibu Isa Lau also replaced Mohammed Kabir Bello for Taraba North.
The House of Representatives recorded the highest number of substitutions, with 19 constituencies affected.
Benue State accounted for five changes, including the replacement of Ikper Chris Terfa with Dickson Tarkighir for Makurdi/Guma and Livinus Tsar Adzor with Sesoo Ikpagher for Vandeikya/Konshisha.
Ondo State recorded six substitutions, including Donald Ojogo replacing Akingboye Leke for Ilaje/Ese-Odo and Festus Olarewaju replacing Rasaq Obe for Idanre.
Additional changes were made in Taraba, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna and Ebonyi states as the ruling party concluded its candidate selection process ahead of the elections.
The latest revisions are expected to address disputes arising from the party’s primary elections as the APC prepares for the general elections.
