APC Drops Suswam, Elegbeleye, 24 Others From Final National Assembly Candidates’ List

APC Drops Suswam, Elegbeleye, 24 Others From Final National Assembly Candidates’ List

  • Politics
  • July 1, 2026
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The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dropped former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, former House of Representatives member, Gbenga Elegbeleye, and 24 other aspirants from the party's final list of candidates for the National Assembly ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The revisions followed the conclusion of the party's primary election appeal process, resulting in the replacement of seven senatorial aspirants and 19 House of Representatives candidates across nine states.
The affected states are Kogi, Abia, Benue, Taraba, Ondo, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna, and Ebonyi.
According to a document obtained by The Nation, the revised list has been submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The document was transmitted through a joint letter signed by the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and the National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru.

Titled "Forwarding of Approved List of Senatorial and House of Representatives Candidates," the letter stated that the adjustments were based on recommendations made by the party's Primary Election Appeal Committee.

"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," the letter stated.

It added that following the resolution of appeals arising from the recently concluded primary elections, the committee's recommendations were reviewed, approved by the NWC, and adopted as the party's final position for the affected constituencies.

The APC said the substitutions were made in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) and the guidelines issued by INEC.
Under the revised senatorial list, Emmanuel Memga Udende replaced Gabriel Suswam as the APC candidate for Benue North East Senatorial District, while Titus Tartenger Zam emerged as the party's candidate for Benue North West, replacing Benjamin T. Aber.
In Ondo State, Olajide Ipinsagbe replaced Gbenga Elegbeleye as the APC's candidate for Ondo North Senatorial District, while Adeniyi Adegbonmire was named the candidate for Ondo Central in place of Taiwo Fasorati.
Other changes include Senator Sunday Karimi replacing Aro Samuel Bamidele in Kogi West, Prince Paul Ikonne taking over from Edinburgh Uchenna Erondu in Abia South, and Shuibu Isa Lau replacing Mohammed Kabir Bello in Taraba North.
The review also led to the replacement of 19 House of Representatives candidates across the affected states.
In Benue State, Dickson Tarkighir replaced Ikper Chris Terfa as the party's candidate for the Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency, while Sesoo Ikpagher emerged in place of Livinus Tsar Adzor for the Vandeikya/Konshisha Federal Constituency.
Ondo State recorded six changes, including Donald Ojogo replacing Akingboye Leke as the APC candidate for Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency and Festus Olarewaju succeeding Rasaq Obe in Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency.
Additional substitutions were made in Taraba, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna, and Ebonyi states as the ruling party concluded the review of its National Assembly candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.