APC Revises Senate List, Restores Six Incumbent Senators
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has stirred fresh uncertainty over its official Senate lineup after deciding to return the tickets of several lawmakers, despite earlier declarations naming other aspirants as winners.
INEC’s Stance on Primary‑Monitored Candidates
The controversy deepened when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced on Wednesday that it would reject any candidate submitted by a political party whose name does not match the outcomes of primaries that the commission monitored and uploaded.
Reinstated Senators and Key Replacements
The revised list restored the Senate tickets of six serving legislators:
- Senator Sunday Karimi (Kogi West)
- Senator Emmanuel Udende (Benue North‑East)
- Senator Titus Zam (Benue North‑West)
- Senator Shuaibu Isa Lau (Taraba North)
- Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (Ondo Central)
- Senator Olajide Ipinsagba (Ondo North)
In Abia South, Prince Paul Ikonne took the place of Edinburgh Erondu.
Former Governor Gabriel Suswam Loses His Ticket
One of the most notable setbacks was the nullification of former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam’s earlier primary win in Benue North‑East, which was awarded instead to incumbent Senator Emmanuel Udende.
Party Leadership Seeks Resolution
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has assured aggrieved senators that the APC leadership, together with the National Working Committee and President Bola Tinubu, is reviewing petitions arising from the primaries. He noted that the party was surprised by the high number of serving lawmakers who failed to secure return tickets and expressed optimism that many disputes would be settled through the APC’s appeal mechanism.
Presidential and Gubernatorial Interventions
Sources told Punch that President Tinubu and APC national officials personally stepped in in several states where disagreements among influential stakeholders threatened to widen party divisions ahead of the 2027 elections.
Ondo State Power‑Sharing Deal
A senior APC official disclosed that the restoration of certain lawmakers followed intense lobbying, interventions by governors, and traditional rulers aimed at averting a prolonged internal crisis. In Ondo State, a tussle between Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji‑Ojo over control of the party’s National and State Assembly tickets was resolved through a compromise:
- Governor Aiyedatiwa will not seek a second term, prioritising State Assembly candidates.
- The national leadership agreed that Tunji‑Ojo does not require state lawmakers, allowing him greater influence over National Assembly tickets.
Benue State Compromise
Outlook Ahead of 2027 Elections
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