The All Progressives Congress has submitted its final list of National Assembly candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission, and the document tells a story of political power plays that will shape the 2027 elections. The party’s National Working Committee reviewed appeals from the Primary Election Appeal Committee and replaced 26 aspirants across multiple states. This is not just a routine administrative exercise—it is a clear signal of internal factional battles playing out in public, and for Nigerian voters, understanding these changes helps explain who really holds power within the ruling party.
What Happened to the APC Candidates List
The APC’s final list for National Assembly seats includes significant substitutions in Benue, Ondo, Kogi, Abia, Taraba, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna, and Ebonyi states. The changes were communicated to INEC in a letter signed by the party’s National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru. The party explained that the review process was concluded after appeals from aggrieved aspirants were examined, with the NWC adopting the committee’s recommendations as its final decision for the affected constituencies.
The affected aspirants include seven senatorial candidates and 19 House of Representatives nominees. Some of the big names dropped include former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam and former House of Representatives member Gbenga Elegbeleye. This revision represents the APC’s final list of candidates following the resolution of disputes arising from the party’s primary elections.
The Benue State Political Battle
The most dramatic changes happened in Benue State, where the results of the May primaries were effectively reversed. The APC reversed the outcome of National Assembly primary elections in Benue State, removing some candidates who emerged and replacing them with new nominees. Political observers say the decision reverses some of the major victories recorded by Governor Hyacinth Alia’s political camp during the primaries, while restoring several aspirants believed to be loyal to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
During the primaries held in May, six serving lawmakers aligned with Akume lost their bids for re-election. Two days later, Gabriel Suswam defeated incumbent Senator Emmanuel Udende in the Benue North East senatorial primary, while Benjamin Aber emerged ahead of Titus Zam in Benue North West. Those victories were interpreted at the time as evidence of Governor Alia’s growing influence within the Benue APC.
But the NWC’s review changed all that. Gabriel Suswam was replaced by Emmanuel Udende, while Titus Zam emerged in place of Benjamin Aber. In the House of Representatives, five constituencies were affected—Dickson Tarkighir replaced Christopher Ikper in Makurdi/Guma, Austin Achado took over from Terhemba Nongo in Gwer East/Gwer West, Terser Ugbor replaced Kohol Iormem in Kwande/Ushongo, Sekav Iyortyom displaced Gideon Inyom in Buruku, and Sesoo Ikpagher replaced Livinus Tsar in Vandeikya/Konshisha.
The result is a split: Governor Alia’s camp retained seven major National Assembly tickets, including Francis Agbo for Benue South Senate, Ojotu Ojema for Apa/Agatu, Anthony Agom for Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo, Blessing Onuh for Otukpo/Ohimini, Peter Ogbodo for Oju/Obi, Regina Akume for Gboko/Tarka, and Solomon Wombo for Katsina-Ala/Ukum/Logo. The Akume camp also controls seven National Assembly tickets, including senators Emmanuel Udende and Titus Zam, alongside Austin Achado, Dickson Tarkighir, Sekav Iyortyom, Terser Ugbor, and Sesoo Ikpagher in the House of Representatives. This 7-7 split reflects a delicate balance of power between two of Benue’s most influential political figures.
Other States with Major Changes
Beyond Benue, other states also witnessed significant substitutions. In Ondo State, six House of Representatives constituencies were affected—Donald Ojogo replaced Akingboye Leke in Ilaje/Ese-Odo, Festus Olarewaju emerged for Idanre instead of Rasaq Obe, and Oluwatimehin Akintomide replaced Kayode Ijalana in Owo/Ose. Similarly, Okunjinmi John Odimayo took over from Olumuyiwa Daramola in Okitipupa/Irele, Michel Olamidotun Akintomide replaced Abiola Makinde in Ondo West/Ondo East, while Festus Ayodele Adefiranye emerged in place of Oyerinmade Matthew for Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo/Odigbo.
In Taraba, Peter Diah replaced Sanusi Mohammed Galadima as the party’s candidate for Gashaka/Kurmi/Sardauna Federal Constituency. Niger State also witnessed changes, with Abubakar Abdullahi replacing Adamu Tanko in Suleja/Tafa/Gurara and Adamu Suleiman taking over from Adamu Usman in Lavun/Edati/Mokwa. In Kwara State, Raheem Olawuyi emerged as the APC candidate for Ekiti/Irepodun/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency, replacing Olasumbo Oyeyemi, while Mohammed Mamman succeeded Bello Tauheed Abubakar in Edu/Patigi/Moro.
The Abia State Defiance
One of the most interesting developments is happening in Abia State, where the state chapter of the APC has openly defied the national leadership. The Abia APC released a separate list of candidates for the 2027 general election, ignoring the revised list submitted by the party’s national leadership to INEC. The state chapter congratulated what it described as the winners of the party’s governorship and national assembly primaries conducted by the National Working Committee.
This came just hours after the APC national headquarters replaced Uchenna Erondu with Paul Ikonne as the party’s senatorial candidate for Abia South and substituted Chris Nkwonta with Samuel Okezie for the Ukwa East/Ukwa West federal constituency. However, the Abia APC retained Erondu and Nkwonta on its list of candidates, and also recognised Eric Oprah as the APC governorship candidate. This open defiance signals a major rift between the state and national leadership that could have serious implications for the party’s performance in Abia State.
What These Changes Mean for Voters
For Nigerian voters, these candidate substitutions are more than just political gossip. They reveal the internal dynamics of the ruling party and help explain which faction holds influence in different states. In Benue, for example, the 7-7 split between Akume and Alia loyalists means the party enters the 2027 elections with unresolved internal tensions. This could affect campaign cohesion and voter turnout in a state that has historically been competitive.
The Abia situation is even more concerning—when a state chapter openly defies the national leadership, it suggests deep divisions that could lead to legal battles or parallel campaigns. Voters in these states should pay attention to which candidates are actually recognised by INEC, because only the officially submitted list will appear on the ballot. The APC has stated that the changes were based on the findings of its Primary Election Appeal Committee and were made in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act. Whether these changes will stand or face further legal challenges remains to be seen.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many APC candidates were replaced in the final list?
The APC replaced 26 aspirants, comprising seven senatorial candidates and 19 House of Representatives nominees across Benue, Ondo, Kogi, Abia, Taraba, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna, and Ebonyi states.
2. Why were the APC candidates changed after the primaries?
The changes followed the review of appeals from the party’s Primary Election Appeal Committee. The National Working Committee adopted the committee’s recommendations as its final decision for the affected constituencies.
3. Which states had the most candidate substitutions?
Benue State had the most significant changes, with two senatorial districts and five House of Representatives constituencies affected. Ondo State also saw major substitutions in six federal constituencies.
4. Why is the Abia APC defying the national leadership?
The Abia state chapter released a separate list of candidates, retaining Uchenna Erondu and Chris Nkwonta even after the national headquarters replaced them. This reflects an internal rift between the state and national leadership.
5. What does the Benue APC changes mean for the 2027 elections?
The changes resulted in a 7-7 split between Governor Alia’s camp and SGF George Akume’s camp. This indicates the party enters the 2027 elections with unresolved internal factional tensions that could affect campaign cohesion.
6. Can the APC candidates list still change before the election?
The party stated this is the final list. However, the Abia state chapter’s defiance and potential legal challenges could lead to further disputes. Ultimately, INEC will recognise the list officially submitted by the party’s national leadership.
