INEC Affirms Suswam as Winner of Benue North East APC Senatorial Primary in Court

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has informed the Federal High Court in Abuja that former Benue State governor Gabriel Suswam won the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Benue North East Senatorial District.

INEC made the disclosure during proceedings in a suit filed by Suswam challenging the APC’s decision to recognise incumbent Senator Emmanuel Udenbe as its candidate, despite the primary results.In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1470/2026, Suswam is seeking a court order recognising him as the validly elected APC candidate for the senatorial district.

He listed the APC, Udenbe and INEC as defendants.At Wednesday’s hearing, INEC’s counsel, Anthony Malik, SAN, told the court that documents from the primary showed Suswam as the winner. He urged the court to resolve the dispute based on the official results and the electoral body’s report, which had been submitted.

Suswam’s counsel, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, also pressed the court to grant his client’s reliefs and dismiss the preliminary objections filed by the APC and Udenbe, describing them as lacking merit.

Counsel for the APC, A. G. Yirvoms, however, asked the court to uphold the party’s preliminary objection and dismiss Suswam’s case.Suswam is contesting the APC’s decision to award the Benue North East senatorial ticket to Udenbe, insisting that he emerged victorious in the primary.

The court has fixed judgment for October 12.

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