APC Submits Revised Candidate List to INEC
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has forwarded an updated list of 25 National Assembly candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The submission, signed by National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda and National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru, states that the changes follow the consideration of reports from the party’s Primary Election Appeal Committee.
Details of Senatorial Changes
The revised list includes five senatorial candidates. In Kogi West, Senator Sunday Karimi replaced Aro Samuel Bamidele. In Abia South, Edinburgh Uchenna Erondu was swapped for Prince Paul Ikonne. Former Benue State Governor Senator Gabriel Suswam lost the Benue North East ticket to Emmanuel Memga Udende, while in Benue North West, Titus Tartenger Zam took over from Benjamin T. Aber. In Taraba North, Mohammed Kabir Bello was replaced by Shuibu Isa Lau.
House of Representatives Adjustments
Nineteen House of Representatives seats were altered. Benue State saw the highest number of changes, 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 Kohol Shedrach Iornem in Kwande/Ushongo; Sekav Dzua Iyortyom replaced Gideon Inyom in Buruku; and Austin Asema Achado displaced Nongo David in Gwer East/Gwer West.
In Taraba, Peter Abel Diah was nominated to replace Sanusi Mohammed Galadima in Gashaka/Kurmi/Sardauna. Niger State experienced two swaps: Abubakar Lado Abdullahi substituted Adamu Tanko in Suleja/Tafa/Gurara, and Adamu Suleiman took the place of Adamu Usman in Lavun/Edati/Mokwa.
Kwara State recorded two changes: Raheem Tunji Olawuyi replaced Olasumbo Florence Oyeyemi in Ekiti/Irepodun/Oke-Ero, and Mohammed Mamman substituted Bello Tauheed Abubakar in Edu/Patigi/Moro.
Ondo State had six adjustments: Donald Ojogo replaced Akingboye Leke in Ilaje/Ese-Odo; Festus Olarewaju took over from Rasaq Obe in Idanre; Oluwatimehin Akintomide replaced Kayode Ijalana in Owo/Ose; Okunjinmi John Odimayo substituted Olumuyiwa Daramola in Okitipupa/Irele; Michel Olamidotun Akintomide replaced Abiola Makinde in Ondo West/Ondo East; and Festus Ayodele Adefiranye took the place of Oyerinmade Matthew in Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo/Odigbo.
The remaining changes were: Abdulazeez Kaka replaced Samaila Abdu Suleiman in Kaduna North; Samuel Okezie displaced Chris Nkwonta in Ukwa East/Ukwa West in Abia State; and Ekumankama Joseph Nkama took over from Iduma Igariwey Enwo in Afikpo North/Edda Federal Constituency in Ebonyi State.
According to a party source speaking anonymously to Vanguard, the exclusion of Senator Gabriel Suswam was linked to a political contest for influence in Benue State, with the remark that “Suswam was sacrificed to please Akume,” referring to Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s ally, Senator George Akume.
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