The ruling All Progressives Congress has dropped seven senatorial candidates from its final list submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission, including former Benue State governor Gabriel Suswam. The party's National Working Committee, led by chairman Nentawe Yilwatda and national secretary Ajibola Basiru, also replaced 19 House of Representatives candidates in a sweeping overhaul.
The removals stem from decisions made by the Primary Election Appeal Committee following the party's primary elections in May. States affected by the changes include Kogi, Abia, Benue, Taraba, Ondo, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna and Ebonyi.
In a letter to the electoral commission, the APC explained that it had reviewed and approved the appeal committee's report before finalising its candidate lists. "Following the determination of appeals from the recently concluded primary elections, the reports of the Appeal Committee were reviewed and subsequently considered and approved by the NWC," the correspondence stated.
Among the seven senatorial replacements, Sunday Karimi displaced Aro Samuel Bamidele in Kogi West. Prince Paul Ikonne took over from Edinburgh Uchenna Erondu in Abia South.
Suswam lost his Benue North East ticket to Emmanuel Memga Udende. In Benue North West, Titus Tartenger Zam replaced Benjamin T.
Aber.
Mohammed Kabir Bello was dropped in Taraba North in favour of Shuibu Isa Lau. Taiwo Fasoranti gave way to Adeniyi Adegbonmire in Ondo Central.
Gbenga Elegbeleye, a former Ondo State House of Representatives member, lost the Ondo North senatorial ticket to Olajide Ipinsagba.
Benue State recorded the most changes at the House of Representatives level, with five federal constituencies affected. Dickson Tarkighir replaced Ikper Chris Terfa in Makurdi/Guma.
Sesoo Ikpagher took over from Livinus Tsar Adzor in Vandeikya/Konshisha. Terser Ugbor substituted for Kohol Shedrach Iornem in Kwande/Ushongo.
Sekav Dzua Iyortyom displaced Gideon Inyom in Buruku. Austin Asema Achado replaced Nongo David in Gwer East/Gwer West.
In Taraba, Peter Abel Diah was named to contest Gashaka/Kurmi/Sardauna in place of Sanusi Mohammed Galadima.
Niger State saw two changes: Abubakar Lado Abdullahi replacing Adamu Tanko in Suleja/Tafa/Gurara, and Adamu Suleiman taking over from Adamu Usman in Lavun/Edati/Mokwa.
Kwara State recorded two alterations as well. Raheem Tunji Olawuyi replaced Olasumbo Florence Oyeyemi in Ekiti/Irepodun/Oke-Ero.
Mohammed Mamman substituted for Bello Tauheed Abubakar in Edu/Patigi/Moro.
Ondo State experienced six House of Representatives changes. Donald Ojogo replaced Akingboye Leke in Ilaje/Ese-Odo.
Festus Olarewa was also among the new candidates forwarded for the state's House of Representatives seats.
