One of the most notable outcomes of the review was the nullification of the victory earlier secured by former Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam, in the Benue North-East primary
KaNo —
The All Progressives Congress (APC) is facing mounting criticism from opposition parties following its decision to alter the list of candidates that emerged from its National Assembly primaries.
The development has reignited debate over internal democracy and the integrity of party processes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The controversy erupted after reports indicated that the APC’s National Working Committee (NWC) approved significant changes to the list of senatorial candidates produced from the party’s May primaries.
The revisions, which affected several states, have drawn sharp reactions from political stakeholders, with critics accusing the ruling party of undermining democratic norms.
Opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), have all condemned the move, describing it as undemocratic and a threat to the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.
The APC, however, has dismissed the criticisms, insisting that the changes were made in line with its internal mechanisms and reflect the will of its members.
However, the announcement was met with resistance from some aspirants who had previously been declared winners of the primaries.
Several of them alleged that their names had been substituted following the review of petitions by the party’s Primary Election Appeal Commission.
Findings revealed that the APC NWC, acting on the recommendations of the appeal panel, overturned the victories of a number of senatorial candidates and reinstated six serving senators across nine states.
The affected states include Kogi, Abia, Benue, Taraba, Ondo, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna, and Ebonyi.
In Abia South, Prince Paul Ikonne, a former Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority, replaced Edinburgh Erondu.
One of the most notable outcomes of the review was the nullification of the victory earlier secured by former Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam, in the Benue North-East primary. The ticket was instead returned to the incumbent senator, Emmanuel Udende.
The revised candidate list has since sparked internal disagreements within the APC, with aggrieved aspirants reportedly considering legal action.
The situation has also raised questions about compliance with electoral regulations, particularly in light of INEC’s warning that it would reject candidates who did not emerge from primaries monitored by the commission.
Reacting to the development, the PDP described the situation as evidence of confusion and deepening internal crisis within the ruling party.
According to him, the PDP would not interfere in the APC’s internal affairs but would instead focus on consolidating its position and welcoming defectors dissatisfied with their treatment in other parties.
“With the change of the candidate list, there is confusion in the APC. Let them continue to remain in confusion so that we can take advantage of that and take over power,” Mohammed said.
He added that the PDP had successfully conducted relatively peaceful primaries and remained committed to submitting the names of its candidates to INEC without controversy.
He also disclosed that the party was open to receiving politicians who felt sidelined, noting that several prominent figures had already joined its ranks.
Similarly, the Labour Party criticised the APC’s decision, describing it as a violation of democratic principles.
The LP National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, said the replacement of candidates who emerged from valid primaries undermines the rule of law and the provisions of the Electoral Act.
“For us in the Labour Party, we did not supplant people who won with people who did not win,” Asogwa said, stressing that the party had consistently respected the outcomes of its internal processes.
He described the APC’s action as “an aberration” and warned that such practices could erode public confidence in the electoral system.
Asogwa also recalled similar controversies in the lead-up to the 2023 general elections, where individuals who did not participate in primaries allegedly emerged in elective positions.
He argued that the absence of consequences for such actions had emboldened political actors to repeat them.
On its part, the APC defended its decision, insisting that due process was followed.
The party’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, maintained that the adjustments were based on recommendations from the appeal committee and were aimed at ensuring fairness and justice.
He dismissed criticisms from opposition parties, urging them to address their internal challenges instead of interfering in the APC’s affairs.
“Let them concentrate on solving the problems that have bedevilled them,” Ibrahim said, adding that the PDP, in particular, was too factionalised to offer credible criticism.
Despite the APC’s defence, political analysts warn that the controversy could have far-reaching implications for the party’s public image and electoral prospects.
Concerns persist that disputes arising from candidate substitutions could lead to prolonged legal battles, internal divisions, and potential voter apathy.
