The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has dropped five senatorial candidates from its final list submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 general election. Among those replaced is former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam, who had won the party's primary but was removed following a report from the Primary Election Appeal Committee.
APC Submits Revised Senatorial List to INEC
The APC National Working Committee (NWC) forwarded the revised list to INEC in a letter signed by National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda and National Secretary Ajibola Basiru. The party cited the findings of the Primary Election Appeal Committee as the reason for the changes. The candidates affected had initially emerged winners during the APC senatorial primaries held in May 2026.
Gabriel Suswam Replaced in Benue North East
Gabriel Suswam, who served as Benue State governor from 2007 to 2015, was dropped as the APC candidate for the Benue North East senatorial district. He was replaced by Emmanuel Memga Udende, the current senator who defeated Suswam in the 2023 general election when Suswam contested under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Suswam defected from the PDP to the APC in February 2026, seeking to unseat Udende. However, the appeal committee reinstated Udende, and his name has been submitted to INEC as the APC candidate for the district.
Taiwo Fasoranti Ousted in Ondo Central
Taiwo Fasoranti, son of Afenifere leader Pa Reuben Fasoranti and former Secretary to the Ondo State Government, was initially declared winner of the APC primary for the Ondo Central senatorial district. However, the appeal committee overturned his victory, and the party submitted the name of Adeniyi Adegbonmire, the incumbent senator, as its candidate for the seat.
Aro Samuel Bamidele Loses Kogi West Ticket
Aro Samuel Bamidele, a former House of Representatives member for Yagba Federal Constituency (2007–2011), had won the APC senatorial primary for Kogi West. The party later withdrew his candidacy and handed the ticket to Senator Sunday Karimi, the current officeholder seeking re-election.
Other Replaced Candidates Across States
The APC also replaced four other senatorial candidates. Edinburgh Uchenna Erondu was replaced by Prince Paul Ikonne in Abia South; Benjamin T. Aber was replaced by Titus Tartenger Zam in Benue North West; Mohammed Kabir Bello was replaced by Shuaibu Isa Lau in Taraba North; and Gbenga Elegbeleye was replaced by Olajide Ipinsagba in Ondo North.
Presidency Defends Tinubu on Power Generation
In related political news, the presidency has defended President Bola Tinubu against criticism from Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Coalition (NDC) for 2027. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, stated that Obi is ignorant about Nigeria's power-generating capacity. Onanuga emphasized that the country's electricity challenge is not a shortage of gas, clarifying the administration's focus.
