APC Clears 33 Rivers Assembly Aspirants, Disqualifies 65 Linked to Fubara

The All Progressives Congress (APC) screening committee for the Rivers state house of assembly election has cleared 33 aspirants and disqualified 65 ahead of the party primaries.

The screening committee was chaired by Muraina Ajibola.

A total of 98 aspirants purchased forms to contest the 32 seats in the Rivers state house of assembly.

The report of the screening committee was signed by Ajibola, Ishaku Tanko Yamawo, secretary of the committee, Aisha Abdullahi Adamu, and Danjuma Samuel.

Ayuba Audu, a member of the committee, was absent.

The committee said the aspirants who were disqualified failed to satisfy the requirements of the screening exercise.

According to the report, reasons for the disqualification included inducement and attempted bribery, submission of unsworn affidavits, failure to present voter cards, and failure to provide party membership slips or cards.

The committee also cited conflicting dates of birth, irregular party membership numbers of nominators, insufficient nominators, and inconsistencies in names appearing on submitted documents.

The report added that some affidavits submitted by aspirants failed to disclose material particulars relating to NECO certificates.

The committee said it adopted a “transparent, orderly, and participatory procedure” during the screening exercise.

“All aspirants were invited to appear before the Committee with the originals of their credentials and supporting documents earlier submitted to the Party,” the report reads.

“Each aspirant was afforded the opportunity to personally address the Committee and respond to questions relating to educational qualifications, political experience, party membership, nominations by party members, constituency engagement, and other relevant matters.”

The committee added that it examined evidence of membership and participation in party activities.

The report showed that aspirants linked to Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers state, and Tonye Cole, former governorship candidate of the party, were among those disqualified.

Notable aspirants from the Fubara camp who were not cleared include Chijioke Ihunwo, Victor Oko-Jumbo, and Sokari Goodboy.

The report further alleged that Victor Oko-Jumbo caused a confrontation at the screening venue after insisting on entering the premises with security aides.

All the 33 aspirants cleared by the committee were said to be loyal to Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Rivers APC asked aspirants to check their status on the party notice board.

Chibike Ikenga, publicity secretary of the party in Rivers, said appeals arising from the screening exercise should be submitted through the party secretariat on May 12.

Meanwhile, questions have continued to trail the screening status of Fubara ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking on the issue, Ajibola Basiru, APC national secretary, said the screening committee would issue its report after concluding the exercise.

“I don’t know what you mean by screen because it appears that anybody that appeared before the screening committee, of course, is necessary as part of the process,” he said.

“After appearing before the screening committee, the screening committee will issue its report.

“As of now, the screening committee, when it has completed, seeing everybody it’s supposed to see, will now sit down and come out with a report of the screening committee.”