APC Replaces Several Winners’ Names In Final List Of Assembly Candidates
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has released its final list of candidates for the 2027 National Assembly elections, allegedly replacing several aspirants who initially emerged from its primaries.
The revised list was submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) barely 24 hours after the party issued nomination certificates to successful candidates.
According to a letter signed by APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda and National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, the changes followed the recommendations of the party’s Primary Election Appeal Committee, which reviewed petitions arising from the primaries.
Among those replaced are former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam, former Ondo lawmaker Gbenga Elegbeleye, five other senatorial candidates and 19 House of Representatives candidates.
Some of the major changes include Senator Sunday Karimi replacing Aro Samuel Bamidele for Kogi West, Prince Paul Ikonne replacing Edinburgh Uchenna Erondu in Abia South, Emmanuel Memga Udende taking over from Gabriel Suswam in Benue North East, and Olajide Ipinsagbe replacing Gbenga Elegbeleye in Ondo North.
The APC also made several changes to its House of Representatives candidates across Benue, Taraba, Niger, Kwara, Ondo, Kaduna, Abia and Ebonyi states.
The party said all substitutions were based on the findings and recommendations of the Appeal Committee after reviewing complaints from the primary elections.
Sources said the final list also reflected the influence of governors in the candidate selection process, although some governors reportedly failed to secure tickets for their preferred aspirants.
The primaries generated controversies in several states, including Edo and Delta, where some aspirants rejected the results and filed appeals.
