The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dropped former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, and former House of Representatives member, Gbenga Elegbeleye, from its final list of National Assembly candidates for the 2027 general elections.
The party also replaced five other senatorial candidates and 19 House of Representatives aspirants following the conclusion of its primary election appeal process.
The affected constituencies are spread across Kogi, Abia, Benue, Taraba, Ondo, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna and Ebonyi states.
According to a document obtained by The Nation, the revised list has been forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The list was transmitted in a joint letter signed by APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru.
Titled “Forwarding of Approved List of Senatorial and House of Representatives Candidates,” the letter stated that the substitutions were made based on recommendations of the party’s Primary Election Appeal Committee.
It explained that the NWC reviewed and approved the committee’s report after determining appeals arising from the recently concluded primary elections, making the revised list the party’s final position for the affected constituencies.
The APC added that the changes were carried out in accordance with the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) and the guidelines issued by INEC.
Among the senatorial changes, Senator Sunday Karimi replaced Aro Samuel Bamidele for Kogi West, while Prince Paul Ikonne replaced Edinburgh Uchenna Erondu for Abia South.
In Benue North East, Gabriel Suswam was replaced by Emmanuel Memga Udende, while Titus Tartenger Zam replaced Benjamin T. Aber for Benue North West.
Mohammed Kabir Bello was substituted with Shuibu Isa Lau for Taraba North, Adeniyi Adegbonmire replaced Taiwo Fasorati for Ondo Central, and Olajide Ipinsagbe took over from Gbenga Elegbeleye in Ondo North.
For the House of Representatives, the APC approved several replacements across the affected states.
In Benue, Dickson Tarkighir replaced Ikper Chris Terfa in Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency, Sesoo Ikpagher replaced Livinus Tsar Adzor in Vandeikya/Konshisha, Terser Ugbor replaced Kohol Shedrach Iornem in Kwande/Ushongo, Sekav Dzua Iyortyom substituted Gideon Inyom in Buruku, while Austin Asema Achado replaced Nongo David in Gwer East/Gwer West.
In Taraba, Peter Abel Diah replaced Sanusi Mohammed Galadima in Gashaka/Kurmi/Sardauna Federal Constituency.
In Niger State, Abubakar Lado Abdullahi replaced Adamu Tanko in Suleja/Tafa/Gurara, while Adamu Suleiman replaced Adamu Usman in Lavun/Edati/Mokwa.
Kwara also witnessed changes, with Raheem Tunji Olawuyi replacing Olasumbo Florence Oyeyemi in Ekiti/Irepodun/Oke-Ero and Mohammed Mamman replacing Bello Tauheed Abubakar in Edu/Patigi/Moro.
In Ondo State, Donald Ojogo replaced Akingboye Leke in Ilaje/Ese-Odo, Festus Olarewaju replaced Rasaq Obe in Idanre, Oluwatimehin Akintomide substituted Kayode Ijalana in Owo/Ose, Okunjinmi John Odimayo replaced Olumuyiwa Daramola in Okitipupa/Irele, Michel Olamidotun Akintomide replaced Abiola Makinde in Ondo East/Ondo West, 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 Federal Constituency, Samuel Okezie replacing Chris Nkwonta in Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency of Abia State, and Ekumankama Joseph Nkama replacing Iduma Igaiwe Enwo in Afikpo North/Edda Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State.