APC replaces 26 National Assembly candidates after primary election appeals
APC's National Working Committee has replaced 26 candidates for the 2027 National Assembly elections after reviewing petitions from the party's primaries. The changes affect seven senatorial and 19 House of Representatives aspirants in Benue, Ondo, Kogi, Abia, Taraba, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna and Ebonyi states. The updated list was sent to INEC in a letter signed by National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda and Secretary Ajibola Basiru, following the Primary Election Appeal Committee's recommendations and in line with the Electoral Act 2022.
The reshuffle replaces notable figures such as former Benue Governor Gabriel Suswam (replaced by Emmanuel Udende in Benue North‑east) and former House member Gbenga Elegbeleye (replaced by Olajide Ipinsagba in Ondo North). Other swaps include Sunday Karimi for Aro Bamidele in Kogi West, Paul Ikonne for Edinburgh Erondu in Abia South, and multiple House seats in Benue (Makurdi/Guma, Vandeikya/Konshisha, Kwande/Ushongo, Buruku, Gwer East/Gwer West), Ondo, Taraba, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna and Ebonyi constituencies.
Voters in the affected constituencies should check the final INEC list to know who will appear on the ballot. Aspirants who were dropped may pursue legal remedies under the Electoral Act, while party members can monitor how these changes influence the APC's electoral prospects in 2027.