ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-) The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has replaced former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, former House of Representatives member, Gbenga Elegbeleye, and 24 other National Assembly candidates in the party’s final list submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The affected aspirants comprise seven senatorial candidates and 19 House of Representatives nominees who emerged from the APC primary elections conducted in May.
The changes were contained in a letter jointly signed by the party’s National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, and National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, and forwarded to INEC.
According to the correspondence, the replacements followed the recommendations of the APC Primary Election Appeal Committee after reviewing petitions arising from the party’s primaries.
The letter, titled “Forwarding of Approved List of Senatorial and House of Representatives Candidates,” explained that the National Working Committee reviewed and approved the committee’s report as the party’s final position on all the affected constituencies.
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Part of the letter read: “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.
“In accordance with the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) and INEC’s regulations and guidelines, we hereby transmit the enclosed list of the approved candidates for seven senatorial districts and 19 House of Representatives constituencies for your records and necessary action.”
Among the senatorial changes, Senator Sunday Karimi replaced Aro Samuel Bamidele as the APC candidate for Kogi West, while Prince Paul Ikonne took over from Edinburgh Uchenna Erondu in Abia South.
In Benue North-East Senatorial District, Gabriel Suswam lost the party’s ticket to Emmanuel Memga Udende, while Titus Tartenger Zam replaced Benjamin T. Aber in Benue North-West.
Shuibu Isa Lau emerged in place of Mohammed Kabir Bello for Taraba North, Adeniyi Adegbonmire replaced Taiwo Fasoranti in Ondo Central, while Gbenga Elegbeleye lost the Ondo North ticket to Olajide Ipinsagba.
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Benue State recorded the highest number of changes in the House of Representatives category, with five constituencies affected.
Dickson Tarkighir replaced Ikper Chris Terfa in Makurdi/Guma, Sesoo Ikpagher succeeded Livinus Tsar Adzor in Vandeikya/Konshisha, Terser Ugbor replaced Kohol Shedrach Iornem in Kwande/Ushongo, Sekav Dzua Iyortyom emerged in place of Gideon Inyom in Buruku, while Austin Asema Achado displaced Nongo David in Gwer East/Gwer West.
In Taraba State, Peter Abel Diah replaced Sanusi Mohammed Galadima as the APC candidate for Gashaka/Kurmi/Sardauna Federal Constituency.
Niger State also witnessed two changes, with Abubakar Lado Abdullahi replacing Adamu Tanko in Suleja/Tafa/Gurara Federal Constituency, while Adamu Suleiman took over from Adamu Usman in Lavun/Edati/Mokwa.
In Kwara State, Raheem Tunji Olawuyi replaced Olasumbo Florence Oyeyemi in Ekiti/Irepodun/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency, while Mohammed Mamman succeeded Bello Tauheed Abubakar in Edu/Patigi/Moro.
Ondo State recorded six changes in the House of Representatives list. Donald Ojogo replaced Akingboye Leke in Ilaje/Ese-Odo, Festus Olarewaju succeeded Rasaq Obe in Idanre, Oluwatimehin Akintomide replaced Kayode Ijalana in Owo/Ose, Okunjinmi John Odimayo displaced Olumuyiwa Daramola in Okitipupa/Irele, Michel Olamidotun Akintomide replaced Abiola Makinde in Ondo West/Ondo East, while Festus Ayodele Adefiranye succeeded Oyerinmade Matthew in Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo/Odigbo.
Other changes approved by the party include Abdulazeez Kaka replacing Samaila Abdu Suleiman in Kaduna North Federal Constituency, Samuel Okezie taking over from Chris Nkwonta in Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency of Abia State, and Ekumankama Joseph Nkama replacing Iduma Igariwey Enwo in Afikpo North/Edda Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State.
The revised list has been forwarded to INEC as the APC’s final submission following the conclusion of its internal appeal process in line with the Electoral Act and the commission’s nomination guidelines.