The All Progressives Congress (APC) has explained why it replaced former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam and 25 other National Assembly candidates who initially emerged victorious during the party’s May primaries.
According to the party, the substitutions followed recommendations by its Primary Election Appeal Committee, which were reviewed and approved by the National Working Committee (NWC). The revised list submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) affects seven senatorial districts and 19 House of Representatives constituencies across Benue, Kogi, Ondo, Taraba, Abia, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna, and Ebonyi states.
Party insiders, however, claimed political considerations also influenced the changes. They alleged Suswam lost the Benue North East senatorial ticket to Emmanuel Memga Udende as part of efforts to strengthen the influence of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, in Benue politics.
The APC said the adjustments complied with the Electoral Act and INEC regulations after resolving appeals from the primaries. National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka said the party received more than 700 petitions and is prioritising the completion of nomination forms before INEC’s July 11 deadline. Governors are expected to meet with the party’s national leadership in Abuja to address lingering grievances ahead of the 2027 general elections.
