The All Progressives Congress (APC) has triggered fresh political realignments ahead of the 2027 general election after removing six senatorial aspirants and 19 House of Representatives candidates from its final nomination list submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The sweeping changes, approved by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), followed the review of petitions and recommendations made by the APC Primary Election Appeal Committee, signaling the party’s determination to resolve disputes arising from its recently concluded primaries before the close of nominations.
A letter transmitting the revised list to INEC, jointly signed by APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda and National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, stated that the alterations reflected the party’s final decision on constituencies affected by appeals.
The affected aspirants reportedly cut across several states, including Kogi, Benue, Taraba, Abia, Ebonyi, Ondo, Kaduna, Niger and Kwara, in what observers describe as one of the most significant post-primary reviews undertaken by the ruling party ahead of the polls.
The development comes as the APC moves to finalize its National Assembly lineup before INEC’s nomination deadline, with party leaders insisting that only candidates cleared through the appeal process would remain on the ballot.
Despite the reshuffle, several high-profile figures retained their positions on the party’s ticket list. Among them are Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno and former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, all of whom have received their candidate affidavit forms.
The party also cleared a number of serving and former governors seeking seats in the Senate, including AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Hope Uzodimma, Ahmadu Fintiri and Inuwa Yahaya.
In Kogi State, former governor Yahaya Bello secured the APC ticket for Kogi Central Senatorial District and remains among the party’s senatorial candidates.
For the House of Representatives, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and veteran lawmaker James Faleke are among those cleared to fly the party’s flag.
With political parties racing to meet INEC’s July 10 deadline for the submission of candidates’ particulars, the APC’s latest move underscores the intense behind-the-scenes contest for tickets and the growing importance of internal dispute resolution in shaping the 2027 electoral battlefield.