APC Clears 33 Aspirants, Disqualifies 65 Ahead of Rivers Assembly Primaries

The screening committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Rivers State House of Assembly election has cleared 33 aspirants while disqualifying 65 others ahead of the party’s primaries.

The committee, chaired by Muraina Ajibola, screened 98 aspirants who purchased nomination forms to contest for the 32 seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The committee’s report, signed by Ajibola alongside Ishaku Tanko Yamawo, secretary of the committee, Aisha Abdullahi Adamu, and Danjuma Samuel, stated that the affected aspirants failed to meet the requirements of the screening exercise. Ayuba Audu, another member of the panel, was absent.

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

The committee also cited discrepancies such as conflicting dates of birth, irregular membership numbers of nominators, insufficient nominators, and inconsistencies in names across submitted documents. It further noted that some affidavits failed to disclose material details relating to NECO certificates.

The panel said it adopted a “transparent, orderly, and participatory procedure” during the screening exercise, adding that all aspirants appeared before the committee with original copies of their credentials and supporting documents.

“Each aspirant was allowed 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 report stated.

The committee added that it examined evidence of party membership and participation in party activities before arriving at its decisions.

The report showed that several aspirants linked to Siminalayi Fubara and Tonye Cole were among those disqualified.

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

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

According to the committee, all 33 aspirants cleared for the primaries are loyalists of Nyesom Wike.

The Rivers APC directed aspirants to check their screening status on the party’s notice board, while Chibike Ikenga said appeals arising from the exercise should be submitted through the party secretariat on May 12.