By The Metro 
The All Progressives Congress (APC) is facing growing criticism over its decision to revise the list of candidates who emerged from its National Assembly primaries, with opposition parties warning that the move could weaken internal democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Punch reports that the controversy followed the National Working Committee’s decision to adopt the recommendations of the party’s May Primary Election Appeal Commission, which overturned the victories of some aspirants and restored several serving senators.
The revised list reinstated the tickets of Sunday Karimi (Kogi West), Emmanuel Udende (Benue North-East), Titus Zam (Benue North-West), Shuaibu Isa Lau (Taraba North), Adeniyi Adegbonmire (Ondo Central) and Olajide Ipinsagba (Ondo North). In Abia South, Prince Paul Ikonne replaced Edinburgh Erondu.
The review also affected former Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam, whose victory in the Benue North-East primary was overturned in favour of incumbent Senator Emmanuel Udende.
The changes have sparked complaints from some aspirants who said they were declared winners of the primaries before their names were replaced. The development has also drawn attention following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s warning that it would reject candidates who did not emerge from primaries monitored by the commission.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) all criticised the APC’s action, while the ruling party insisted it acted in line with its internal appeal process.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, described the development as a sign of confusion within the APC.
He stated, “With the change of the candidate list, there is confusion in the APC. Let them continue to remain in confusion. It is our joy to see that they remain in confusion so that we can take advantage of that and take over power. It is not for us to advise them on how to put their house in order.
“The fact that we have our own strategies, which enabled us to conduct relatively rancour-free primaries, and that we are ensuring the names of successful candidates are forwarded to INEC, means it is not our responsibility to advise the APC on what to do. Instead, we will tell them to continue substituting names at will.
“We are ready to receive anyone who is tired of the APC’s confusion into the PDP, and we will welcome them. You can see the likes of Prof Iyabo Obasanjo, Prof Isa Pantami, and many others. We are waiting to receive those who have been treated unfairly by other political parties. This is a sign that the PDP is indeed going to spring surprises.”
The Labour Party also faulted the decision, saying replacing candidates who won valid primaries undermined the country’s democratic process.
Its National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, said, “For us in the Labour Party, we did not supplant people who won with people who did not win. We did not, at any time, remove the names of people who won our primaries and replace them with those who did not win. That is why we have continued to show the example of what democracy looks like and how it should be practised in Nigeria.
“If there are political parties that have been doing this, it is an aberration. It makes a mockery of what the Electoral Act says. That is not the way to go.”
The African Democratic Congress said the controversy could leave many APC members dissatisfied ahead of the next general election.
Its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said, “The crisis and confusion in the APC now are going to be their undoing in the next election. They have left many of their members bitter and aggrieved, but that is their problem.”
The Social Democratic Party also criticised the development, describing it as undemocratic.
Its National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, said, “That is the APC’s problem and the dysfunctionality of its system. The SDP will not elevate or dignify the APC’s recklessness and anti-democratic tendencies. So, we wouldn’t comment much on this.”
Responding to the criticism, APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, defended the revised list, saying the changes reflected fairness, justice and the wishes of party members.
He also dismissed the opposition’s criticism, saying, “Let them (the opposition) concentrate on solving the problems that have bedevilled them. The PDP is so factionalised that you don’t know whether it is a political party or an NGO now.
“Our party is busy working on how to deliver more dividends to Nigerians because, come 2027, if another mandate is given to us, I don’t think we are bothered by the shenanigans of an organisation or association that has no standing at all.”
On the review of the candidates’ list, Ibrahim added, “It shows fairness and justice. It shows the willingness of our party to go by the wishes of the people. If, at any point in time, people are aggrieved and they protest, they can appeal, and there is an appeal committee that looks into the situation and sees that, yes, there are grounds for such an appeal.
“The right thing will be done, and the right thing has been done. It shows that our party is not bent on dictating to the people whether they like it or not. If there is any element of injustice, that thing will be addressed in a way and manner that will be in line with, or in tandem with, the law.”
Ibrahim also expressed confidence that the changes would not affect party unity, saying APC members remained committed to the party’s ideals of democracy, fairness and respect for its internal electoral process.