APC Restores Six Senators After 2027 Primaries as INEC Warns Against Altered Candidate Lists

APC 2027 Primaries: Party Restores Six Serving Senators, Fresh Crisis Looms as INEC Issues Strong Warning

Description: The APC has restored six serving senators after reviewing its 2027 National Assembly primaries, while INEC warns it will reject candidates whose names do not match monitored primary election results.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has sparked fresh political controversy after reversing the outcome of several senatorial primaries and restoring six serving senators to its list of candidates for the 2027 general elections.

The decision, which affects nine states across Nigeria, comes despite earlier declarations naming different aspirants as winners, raising concerns about internal party democracy and the credibility of the APC's nomination process.

INEC Warns Political Parties Over Candidate Submissions

The development coincides with a stern warning from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which announced on Wednesday that it would reject any candidate whose name does not match the results of primaries officially monitored and uploaded by the electoral commission.

INEC's position has created fresh uncertainty over whether the APC's revised candidate list will be accepted, setting the stage for possible legal and political battles ahead of the 2027 elections.

APC Reverses Senatorial Primary Results in Nine States

Documents obtained by journalists revealed that the APC National Working Committee (NWC), acting on recommendations from the party's Primary Election Appeal Committee, reviewed the outcomes of several senatorial primaries.

The review affected Kogi, Abia, Benue, Taraba, Ondo, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna, and Ebonyi states, with several incumbent lawmakers regaining the party's tickets after initially losing the primaries.

Full List of Senators Restored by APC

The APC restored the tickets of the following serving senators:

- 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 Senatorial District, former National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) Chief Executive Officer, Prince Paul Ikonne, replaced Edinburgh Erondu as the APC candidate.

Gabriel Suswam Loses Ticket After APC Review

One of the biggest casualties of the review is former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam.

Although Suswam had earlier emerged victorious in the APC primary for Benue North-East, the party overturned the result and reinstated the incumbent senator, Emmanuel Udende, as its official candidate.

The decision has intensified political tensions within the ruling party and could trigger fresh disputes ahead of the elections.

Akpabio Had Earlier Promised Resolution

Before the latest development, Senate President Godswill Akpabio had assured APC lawmakers who lost their return tickets that the party leadership was working with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC National Working Committee to resolve complaints arising from the primaries.

Speaking after securing his own ticket for Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District through affirmation, Akpabio acknowledged the unusually high number of serving senators who failed to retain their tickets.

He expressed confidence that many of the disputes would be addressed through the party's internal appeal process.

Over 20 Senators Affected by APC Primaries

The APC primaries produced several unexpected outcomes, with more than 20 serving senators either losing their tickets or failing to secure nominations.

Among those affected were lawmakers who recently defected from opposition parties to the APC, including:

- Benson Agadaga (Bayelsa East)

- Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South)

- Banigo Ipalibo (Rivers West)

Other notable politicians who lost out include:

- Deputy Senate Leader Oyelola Ashiru (Kwara South)

- Ned Nwoko (Delta North)

- Neda Imasuen (Edo South)

- Jibrin Isah (Kogi East)

- Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central)

- Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central)

- Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East)

Meanwhile, Osita Izunaso stepped aside to support the political arrangement involving Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma.

Political Uncertainty Ahead of 2027 Elections

While the APC's appeal process restored the candidacies of six serving senators, many other aggrieved aspirants remain without relief, leaving uncertainty over the final list of candidates.

With INEC insisting that only candidates emerging from duly monitored primaries will be recognized, political observers expect legal challenges and further internal disputes as Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections.

The coming weeks are expected to determine whether the APC's revised nominations will stand or whether the electoral commission's position will reshape the party's final lineup for the National Assembly elections.