INEC Tells Court Gabriel Suswam Won APC Benue North East Senatorial Primary

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam won the last APC primary election conducted to select the party’s candidate for the Benue North East Senatorial District.

INEC’s lawyer, Anthony Malik (SAN), made the submission on Wednesday while defending the commission’s position in the suit filed by Suswam against the APC’s decision to give the senatorial ticket to the incumbent, Senator Emmanuel Udende.

Suswam is asking the court to recognise him as the rightful winner of the primary and compel the APC to accord him the necessary recognition.

According to INEC’s counsel, the commission’s report and the result of the primary have already been presented before the court, and the documents show that Suswam won the exercise.

Lawyers representing Suswam, the APC and Senator Udende all made their final arguments before Justice Inyang Ekwo. After listening to all parties, the judge adjourned the case until October 12, 2026, for judgment, although he noted that the judgment could be delivered earlier if it is ready.

The big question now is whether the court will uphold the primary result presented by INEC and recognise Gabriel Suswam as the APC candidate for Benue North East.