APC drops Suswam, Elegbeleye, 24 others from final NASS list sent to INEC
By Ishaya Ibrahim
The All Progressives Congress has replaced former Benue Governor Gabriel Suswam, ex-House of Representatives member Gbenga Elegbeleye, and 24 other aspirants in its final list of National Assembly candidates submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The National Working Committee of the APC said on Tuesday that the substitutions affect seven senatorial and 19 House of Representatives tickets across nine states. The aspirants were initially declared winners of the party’s primaries held in May.
In a letter to INEC, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda and National Secretary Ajibola Basiru said the changes followed recommendations of the party’s Primary Election Appeal Committee. The NWC adopted the committee’s report as its final decision for the affected constituencies.
The letter, titled “Forwarding of Approved List of Senatorial and House of Representatives Candidates,” said the revised list complies with the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC guidelines.
Senatorial Substitutions:
Kogi West: Sunday Karimi replaces Aro Bamidele
Abia South: Paul Ikonne replaces Edinburgh Erondu
Benue North-East: Emmanuel Udende replaces Gabriel Suswam
Benue North-West: Titus Zam replaces Benjamin Aber
Taraba North: Shuaibu Lau replaces Mohammed Bello
Ondo Central: Adeniyi Adegbonmire replaces Taiwo Fasoranti
Ondo North: Olajide Ipinsagba replaces Gbenga Elegbeleye
House of Representatives Substitutions:
Benue – 5 constituencies
Makurdi/Guma: Dickson Tarkighir replaces Ikper Chris Terfa
Vandeikya/Konshisha: Sesoo Ikpagher replaces Livinus Adzor
Kwande/Ushongo: Terser Ugbor replaces Kohol Shedrach Iornem
Buruku: Sekav Dzua Iyortyom replaces Gideon Inyom
Gwer East/Gwer West: Austin Asema Achado replaces Nongo David
Ondo – 6 constituencies
Ilaje/Ese-Odo: Donald Ojogo replaces Akingboye Leke
Idanre: Festus Olarewaju replaces Rasaq Obe
Owo/Ose: Oluwatimehin Akintomide replaces Kayode Ijalana
Okitipupa/Irele: Okunjinmi John Odimayo replaces Olumuyiwa Daramola
Ondo West/Ondo East: Michel Olamidotun Akintomide replaces Abiola Makinde
Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo/Odigbo: Festus Ayodele Adefiranye replaces Oyerinmade Matthew
Others
Taraba – Gashaka/Kurmi/Sardauna: Peter Diah replaces Sanusi Mohammed Galadima
Niger – Suleja/Tafa/Gurara: Abubakar Abdullahi replaces Adamu Tanko
Niger – Lavun/Edati/Mokwa: Adamu Suleiman replaces Adamu Usman
Kwara – Ekiti/Irepodun/Oke-Ero: Raheem Olawuyi replaces Olasumbo Oyeyemi
Kwara – Edu/Patigi/Moro: Mohammed Mamman replaces Bello Tauheed Abubakar
Kaduna – Kaduna North: Abdulazeez Kaka replaces Samaila Suleiman
Abia – Ukwa East/Ukwa West: Samuel Okezie replaces Chris Nkwonta
Ebonyi – Afikpo North/Edda: Ekumankama Nkama replaces Iduma Enwo
The APC said the updated list represents its final slate for the affected constituencies after resolving disputes from the primary elections.
