Fresh details have emerged over the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s decision to replace former Benue State Governor Senator Gabriel Suswam and several other National Assembly candidates despite their victories in the party’s May primaries.
According to Vanguard, the APC National Working Committee (NWC) replaced Suswam, former House of Representatives member Gbenga Elegbeleye, five senatorial candidates and 19 House of Representatives candidates from Kogi, Abia, Benue, Taraba, Ondo, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna and Ebonyi states.
The revised list was submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in a letter jointly signed by APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda and National Secretary Ajibola Basiru.
Citing party sources, Vanguard reported that the substitutions were intended to restore greater control of party structures in the affected states to governors and other influential stakeholders. A senior APC source, who spoke anonymously, claimed Suswam’s removal was largely driven by the prolonged political contest for influence in Benue State between Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator George Akume and Governor Hyacinth Alia.
The APC has not officially confirmed the political motives behind the changes.
