The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has forwarded its final list of senatorial and House of Representatives candidates for the 2027 general elections to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), replacing several high-profile aspirants following the review of appeals arising from the party’s primary elections.
Among the prominent figures dropped from the revised senatorial list are former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, and former member of the House of Representatives, Gbenga Elegbeleye. The party also replaced five other senatorial candidates and 19 House of Representatives candidates across nine states.
According to a letter submitted to INEC and jointly signed by APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and National Secretary, Sen. Ajibola Basiru, the changes followed the recommendations of the party’s Primary Election Appeal Committee.
The APC explained that after reviewing appeals from its recently concluded primaries, the National Working Committee (NWC) approved the committee’s recommendations as the party’s final position on the affected constituencies before transmitting the revised list to the electoral commission.
The affected states include Abia, Benue, Ebonyi, Kaduna, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Ondo and Taraba.
Among the key senatorial substitutions, Emmanuel Memga Udende replaced Gabriel Suswam in Benue North East, while Titus Tartenger Zam emerged for Benue North West. In Ondo State, Olajide Ipinsagbe replaced Gbenga Elegbeleye for Ondo North, while Adeniyi Adegbonmire took over the Ondo Central ticket.
Other changes include Senator Sunday Karimi replacing Aro Samuel Bamidele in Kogi West, Prince Paul Ikonne replacing Edinburgh Uchenna Erondu in Abia South, and Shuibu Isa Lau replacing Mohammed Kabir Bello in Taraba North.
Despite the revisions, several prominent APC figures retained their senatorial tickets. They include Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno, former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. Four serving governors—AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, Hope Uzodimma of Imo, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa and Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe—also secured the party’s senatorial tickets.
The revised list also reflects changes in 19 House of Representatives constituencies spread across the affected states, with the party stating that the substitutions were made in line with the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) and INEC’s nomination guidelines.
Political parties are expected to conclude the submission of candidates’ particulars on INEC’s nomination portal before the stipulated deadline as preparations for the 2027 general elections continue.
