The All Progressives Congress (APC) has revised the outcome of its National Assembly primary elections in Benue State, replacing several candidates who emerged from the party’s primaries with new nominees.

The changes, based on the recommendations of the APC Primary Election Appeal Committee, were reflected in the party’s final list of candidates submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Among those affected is former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam, whose victory in the Benue North East Senatorial District primary was overturned. The party replaced him with incumbent Senator Emmanuel Udende. In the Benue North West Senatorial District, Titus Zam was reinstated as the APC candidate, replacing Benjamin Aber.

The review also affected 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. The party said the changes followed the findings of its appeal committee.

The revised list significantly alters the outcome of the APC primaries held in May, which had been widely viewed as a political victory for Governor Hyacinth Alia in his long-running rivalry with Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.

Several aspirants believed to be aligned with Akume, including Austin Achado, Dickson Tarkighir, Terser Ugbor, Sekav Iyortyom and Sesoo Ikpagher, had lost during the House of Representatives primaries but have now been reinstated as the party’s candidates.

With the latest changes, political observers say the distribution of the APC’s National Assembly tickets in Benue is now evenly split between candidates considered loyal to Governor Alia and those aligned with Akume, reflecting the continued power struggle within the state’s ruling party.