By Ghazali Ibrahim
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has cleared aspirants loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, while disqualifying all aspirants believed to be aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara ahead of the party’s primaries for the 2027 general elections.
The party disclosed that 33 aspirants were cleared to participate in the primaries, while 65 others failed the screening process.
Among those affected were 32 aspirants reportedly linked to Governor Fubara’s political camp, all of whom were disqualified. Meanwhile, serving members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Wike were cleared by the screening committee.
In a statement issued by the APC State Publicity Secretary, Chibike Ikenga, aspirants who purchased the House of Assembly Expression of Interest and Nomination forms were advised to check their screening status at the party’s state secretariat located at 268B Aba Road, Port Harcourt.
Ikenga also stated that appeals arising from the screening exercise should be submitted through the party secretariat, adding that the appeal process is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, at 10 a.m.
The screening committee, in its report, cited multiple reasons for the disqualification of affected aspirants.
According to the report, some aspirants were screened out over issues including non-financial membership status contrary to Article 9.3 of the party constitution, alleged inducement and attempted bribery of committee members, submission of unsworn affidavits, and failure to provide voters’ cards or valid party membership documents.
Other reasons listed include conflicting dates of birth, inability of nominators to confirm payment of membership dues, irregular membership numbers, inconsistencies in submitted names and documents, insufficient nominators from wards, and submission of affidavits that allegedly failed to disclose relevant details relating to NECO certificates.
