The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared that Gabriel Suswam, a former governor of Benue State, won the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Benue North East Senatorial District. This declaration was made during a court hearing at the Federal High Court in Abuja regarding a suit filed by Suswam challenging the party's decision to endorse the incumbent Senator Emmanuel Udenbe as its candidate.

Suswam's legal action, marked as FHC/ABJ/CS/1470/2026, seeks the court's recognition of him as the legitimate APC candidate for the senatorial district. In the proceedings, INEC's counsel, Anthony Malik, SAN, presented evidence indicating that Suswam was the rightful winner of the primary election. He urged the court to resolve the dispute based on the official results of the primary, which INEC has submitted as part of its report.

Malik emphasized the importance of adhering to the primary election results, stating that the electoral body had fulfilled its duty by providing the necessary documentation to support Suswam's claim. Meanwhile, Suswam's counsel, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, echoed this sentiment, requesting that the court grant the reliefs sought by his client and dismiss the preliminary objections raised by the APC and Udenbe, which he argued were without merit.

In contrast, A. G. Yirvoms, representing the APC, urged the court to uphold the party's objections and dismiss Suswam's case entirely. The ongoing legal battle highlights the internal conflicts within the APC regarding candidate selection, particularly in light of Suswam's assertion that he won the primary election.

The court has scheduled its judgment for October 12, which will determine the outcome of this contentious dispute over the APC's senatorial ticket for Benue North East. The decision will not only affect the political landscape in the region but also set a precedent for how party primaries are managed and recognized in Nigeria.