APC Overturns Benue Primaries, Replaces Suswam and Other Candidates in Major Shake-Up

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has overturned the outcome of several National Assembly primary elections in Benue State, replacing a number of candidates who initially emerged victorious after a review by the party’s Primary Election Appeal Committee.

Among the biggest changes is the removal of former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam as the party’s candidate for the Benue North East Senatorial District. Suswam, who defeated incumbent Senator Emmanuel Udende during the primaries, has now been replaced by Udende in the APC’s final list submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The revised list also altered the outcome of the Benue North West Senatorial District primary, where Titus Zam was reinstated as the APC candidate, replacing Benjamin Aber, the husband of Benue State Secretary to the Government, Deborah Aber.

The changes extend beyond the Senate races, with the APC replacing candidates in five House of Representatives constituencies. 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, while Sesoo Ikpagher replaced Livinus Tsar in Vandeikya/Konshisha.

The substitutions were formally communicated to INEC in a letter jointly signed by APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda and National Secretary Ajibola Basiru. According to the party, the revised list followed the recommendations of its Primary Election Appeal Committee.

The latest development comes about six weeks after the APC primaries, which had been widely viewed as a political victory for Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia amid his prolonged political rivalry with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume.

During the House of Representatives primaries held on May 17, 2026, several serving lawmakers believed to be loyal to Akume lost their re-election bids. Among them were Austin Achado, Dickson Tarkighir, Terser Ugbor, Sekav Iyortyom and Sesoo Ikpagher. All five have now been restored as the party’s candidates.

Similarly, the senatorial primaries conducted on May 19, 2026, saw Gabriel Suswam defeat Emmanuel Udende in Benue North East, while Benjamin Aber emerged ahead of Titus Zam in Benue North West. Those victories were interpreted as a major boost for Governor Alia’s influence within the Benue APC.

The primaries also reignited disagreements over automatic return tickets for serving lawmakers. Before the exercise, George Akume had publicly advocated for greater inclusiveness within the party.

“We want everybody to have a place. We want inclusiveness in this party,” Akume had said.

Governor Alia, however, opposed the proposal, insisting that neither President Bola Tinubu nor the APC national leadership had approved automatic tickets.

“What the SGF said was a prayer and not a resolution,” Alia said at the time.

With the revised candidate list now in effect, political influence within the Benue APC appears evenly balanced. Governor Alia’s allies retained seven major National Assembly tickets, including Francis Agbo, Ojotu Ojema, Anthony Agom, Blessing Onuh, Peter Ogbodo, Regina Akume, and Solomon Wombo.

The Akume camp also now controls seven National Assembly tickets following the appeal committee’s decision, including Senators Emmanuel Udende and Titus Zam, alongside House of Representatives candidates Austin Achado, Dickson Tarkighir, Sekav Iyortyom, Terser Ugbor, and Sesoo Ikpagher.

The reversal is expected to reshape the political landscape within the APC in Benue ahead of the next general elections, with fresh attention now focused on how the rival camps will respond.