APC ditches Suswam, 25 other NASS candidates

Nigeria's ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has significantly altered its final candidate lists for the National Assembly, dropping 28 individuals, including prominent figures like former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam. The party's National Working Committee (NWC) submitted these revised lists to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), signaling major shifts in its electoral strategy.

The adjustments, detailed in a correspondence signed by APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda and National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, were prompted by the report of the Primary Election Appeal Committee. Nineteen candidates who had initially won their primary elections for the House of Representatives were also removed and replaced. The affected states span across the country, including Kogi, Abia, Benue, Taraba, Ondo, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna, and Ebonyi.

Among the senatorial replacements, Senator Sunday Karimi is set to contest in Kogi West, displacing Aro Samuel Bamidele. In Abia South, Edinburgh Uchenna Erondu was substituted by Prince Paul Ikonne. Gabriel Suswam lost his Benue North East ticket to Emmanuel Memga Udende, while Titus Tartenger Zam replaced Benjamin T. Aber in Benue North West. Mohammed Kabir Bello was replaced by Shuibu Isa Lau in Taraba North, and Taiwo Fasoranti was substituted by Adeniyi Adegbonmire in Ondo Central. Gbenga Elegbeleye also lost the Ondo North ticket to Olajide Ipinsagba.

The House of Representatives saw the most changes in Benue State, with five federal constituencies affected. Notable replacements include Dickson Tarkighir for Ikper Chris Terfa in Makurdi/Guma, and Sesoo Ikpagher for Livinus Tsar Adzor in Vandeikya/Konshisha. Terser Ugbor will substitute Kohol Shedrach Iornem in Kwande/Ushongo, Sekav Dzua Iyortyom replaces Gideon Inyom in Buruku, and Austin Asema Achado takes the place of Nongo David in Gwer East/Gwer West Federal Constituency. In Taraba, Peter Abel Diah was forwarded to replace Sanusi Mohammed Galadima in Gashaka.

“

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. 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.