The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reversed the outcomes of several National Assembly primaries in Benue State, replacing former Governor Gabriel Suswam and other candidates with new nominees following recommendations from its Primary Election Appeal Committee. The changes, reflected in the party's final candidate list submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), affect two senatorial districts and five House of Representatives constituencies, overturning key victories previously secured by Governor Hyacinth Alia's camp and reinstating candidates widely seen as loyalists of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume.
Senatorial District Changes
Under the revised list, Emmanuel Udende replaces Gabriel Suswam as the APC candidate for Benue North East Senatorial District. In Benue North West, Titus Zam replaces Benjamin Aber, the husband of Benue State Secretary to the Government Deborah Aber. These substitutions mark a significant shift from the May primaries, where Suswam had defeated incumbent Udende, and Benjamin Aber had beaten Zam.
House of Representatives Substitutions
Five House of Representatives candidates were also replaced: Dickson Tarkighir replaces Christopher Ikper in Makurdi/Guma; Austin Achado replaces Terhemba Nongo in Gwer East/Gwer West; Terser Ugbor replaces Kohol Iormem in Kwande/Ushongo; Sekav Iyortyom replaces Gideon Inyom in Buruku; and Sesoo Ikpagher replaces Livinus Tsar in Vandeikya/Konshisha. All five had lost their return tickets in the May primaries but are now reinstated.
Background of the Primaries
The shake-up comes about six weeks after the May primaries, which political observers described as a decisive victory for Governor Alia in his prolonged supremacy battle with SGF Akume. On 17 May, six serving House of Representatives members believed loyal to Akume lost their return tickets. Two days later, the senatorial primaries produced further upsets: Suswam defeated Udende, and Benjamin Aber defeated Zam, strengthening Alia's control over the APC structure in Benue. The primaries also rejected calls for automatic tickets for serving lawmakers, a proposal publicly advocated by Akume during a party reconciliation meeting in Makurdi.
Divergent Views on Automatic Tickets
At the meeting, Akume stated that President Bola Tinubu wanted all serving elected APC officials to retain their tickets, saying, "We want everybody to have a place. We want inclusiveness in this party." However, Governor Alia disagreed, insisting that neither the president nor the APC leadership approved automatic tickets, responding, "What the SGF said was a prayer and not a resolution."
Revised Distribution of Tickets
The revised list has produced a more balanced distribution of National Assembly tickets between the rival camps. Candidates aligned with Governor Alia retained seven key tickets: Francis Agbo (Benue South Senate), Ojotu Ojema (Apa/Agatu), Anthony Agom (Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo), Blessing Onuh (Otukpo/Ohimini), Peter Ogbodo (Oju/Obi), Regina Akume (Gboko/Tarka), and Solomon Wombo (Katsina-Ala/Ukum/Logo). The Akume camp now also controls seven tickets: Senators Emmanuel Udende and Titus Zam, plus House of Representatives candidates Austin Achado, Dickson Tarkighir, Sekav Iyortyom, Terser Ugbor, and Sesoo Ikpagher.
Implications for 2027 Elections
The development marks another significant turn in the internal contest for influence within the Benue APC ahead of the 2027 general election, despite repeated reconciliation efforts between Alia and Akume. Attention is now expected to shift to the party's House of Assembly nominations, where both camps are again expected to test their strength. The revised list was communicated to INEC via a letter signed by APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda and National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, citing the Primary Election Appeal Committee's report.
