2027: Suswam, Aber lose out as ‘APC VAR’ saves Ottah Agbo, Blessing Onuh, Ojotu Ojema, others

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reshuffled its final list of National Assembly candidates for Benue State, overturning some outcomes of the party’s primaries and replacing several aspirants following the conclusion of its internal review process.

The revised list, submitted by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), produced major upsets in the senatorial contests. Former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam lost the Benue North East ticket to incumbent Senator Emmanuel Memga Udende, while Senator Titus Tartenger Zam replaced Benjamin T. Aber as the party’s candidate for Benue North West Senatorial District.

In Benue South, the review saw Francis Ottah Agbo emerge as the APC’s candidate for the Benue South Senatorial District. The party also retained Hon. Blessing Onuh as its candidate for Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency and Hon. Ojotu Ojema for Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency, while Anthony Agom secured the ticket for Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency.

Reacting to the release of the final list, Governor Hyacinth Alia announced that he had commenced the presentation of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination forms to the party’s National Assembly candidates.

“I charged them to remain steadfast, uphold the values of our great party, and place service to the people above all else,” the governor said in a statement.

He also urged APC supporters across the state to remain calm and united, expressing confidence that the party would emerge stronger from the process.

“To our supporters across Benue, remain calm, united and confident. By the grace of God, everything will definitely end in praise,” Alia stated.