Why APC dropped Suswam: Power struggle, Governors' influence shake up National Assembly candidates

By Johnson

The All Progressives Congress (APC) dropped former Benue State Governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam, from its list of National Assembly candidates following a combination of the party's appeal committee recommendations and internal political calculations aimed at strengthening the influence of governors and key stakeholders ahead of the 2027 elections.

Sources within the party disclosed that Suswam's removal from the Benue North East Senatorial ticket was largely linked to the ongoing power tussle between the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia.

A senior APC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Suswam was "sacrificed to please Akume" as the party sought to resolve the leadership battle in Benue.

Suswam was among 25 National Assembly candidates dropped by the National Working Committee (NWC), despite emerging victorious in the party's May primaries.

Others affected include former House of Representatives member, Gbenga Elegbeleye, five senatorial candidates and 19 House of Representatives candidates across Kogi, Abia, Benue, Taraba, Ondo, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna and Ebonyi states.

The revised candidates' list was forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in a letter jointly signed by APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru.

The party said the changes were based on the report of its Primary Election Appeal Committee.

According to the letter, the NWC reviewed and approved the committee's recommendations after determining appeals arising from the party's primary elections and subsequently transmitted the final list to INEC in line with the Electoral Act 2022 and the commission's guidelines.

Among the major changes, Emmanuel Memga Udende replaced Suswam in Benue North East, while Olajide Ipinsagba took over the Ondo North Senatorial ticket from Elegbeleye.

Other replacements included Prince Paul Ikonne for Edinburgh Uchenna Erondu in Abia South, Sunday Karimi for Aro Samuel Bamidele in Kogi West, Titus Tartenger Zam for Benjamin Aber in Benue North West, Shuibu Isa Lau for Mohammed Kabir Bello in Taraba North, and Adeniyi Adegbonmire for Taiwo Fasoranti in Ondo Central.

Benue recorded the highest number of changes in the House of Representatives category, with five constituencies getting new candidates. Several substitutions were also made in Taraba, Niger, Kwara, Ondo, Kaduna, Abia and Ebonyi states.

Party insiders said the reshuffle reflects a broader strategy by the APC leadership to restore greater control of party structures to governors and influential stakeholders.

The development comes as the party empowers governors to oversee the distribution and completion of INEC nomination forms by candidates.

Although the forms have been sent to state chapters, candidates enjoying the backing of governors and key stakeholders are expected to have easier access to them.

APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said the party received more than 700 petitions arising from the disputed primaries, stressing that its immediate priority is ensuring candidates complete their nomination forms before INEC's July 11 deadline for submission through the Candidate Nomination Portal.

He added that the party would release its full list of candidates after completing the nomination process.

Meanwhile, APC governors are expected to meet with the party's national leadership in Abuja to address grievances arising from the primaries, which were marred by allegations of irregularities, candidate imposition and manipulation of delegates' lists.

The meeting is part of efforts to calm tensions within the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.