Suswam, Aber sweep APC senate primaries in Benue as Udende, Zam fall short

Former Governor Gabriel Suswam and retired Customs officer Benjamin Terseer Aber have emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidates for Benue North East and Benue North West respectively, after a decisive primary election that saw sitting senators Emmanuel Udende and Titus Zam suffer heavy defeats ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The results, announced on Tuesday at the APC State Secretariat in Makurdi by the Chairman of the Senate Primaries Election Committee in Benue State, Alhaji Saidu Mahuta, confirmed a wide margin of victory for both winners in a contest described by party officials as peaceful and hitch-free across the state.

In Benue North East, Suswam dominated the race with 131,083 votes, far ahead of incumbent Senator Emmanuel Udende, who managed just 1,363 votes. Other aspirants trailed significantly, with Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Douglas Pepe, scoring 7,304 votes, Fidelis Unongo polling 865 votes, while Stephen Utah recorded 138 votes.

The scale of Suswam’s victory effectively reshapes the political dynamics in the district, signalling a strong voter shift within the APC structure and raising questions about the strength of incumbent influence in the zone. Party observers noted that the margin between Suswam and his closest challenger underscores the former governor’s enduring political base and organisational reach.

Similarly, in Benue North West, retired Assistant Controller General of Customs, Benjamin Terseer Aber, secured a commanding win with 93,412 votes. He defeated former Director-General of the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority, Emmanuel Jime, who polled 5,435 votes. David Awuna scored 21,731 votes, while incumbent Senator Titus Zam came last among the major contenders with 2,557 votes.

Mahuta, while declaring the results, said reports from across the state indicated that the exercise was conducted under a calm atmosphere, with no major incidents recorded. He commended party stakeholders and security agencies for ensuring a smooth process, noting that the primaries reflected the APC’s commitment to internal democracy.

“The exercise was generally peaceful and orderly. Reports from across the senatorial districts show that the process was hitch-free,” Mahuta stated during the announcement.

The outcome of the primaries has, however, set the stage for renewed political realignments within the APC in Benue State, as both emerging candidates and outgoing lawmakers are expected to consolidate their support bases ahead of the 2027 general elections.

For Senator Udende and Senator Zam, the results mark a significant setback in their bid to return to the National Assembly, as both failed to retain the party’s ticket despite their incumbency advantage. Their defeat highlights the shifting political currents within the APC, where party structure and delegate alignment appear to have played a decisive role.

Analysts say the results could reshape the party’s electoral strategy in Benue, particularly as it seeks to strengthen its hold in a politically competitive state. With Suswam and Aber now positioned as flagbearers, attention will shift to how the APC manages post-primary reconciliation and mobilisation ahead of the general elections.