The All Progressives Congress (APC), Screening Committee has disqualified former factional Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Oko Jumbo, and 64 other aspirants from contesting the forthcoming state assembly primaries for the 2027 elections.
Acccording to Daily Trust, most of the aspirants disqualified are core loyalists of Governor Siminalayi Fubara based on the report of the screening committee signed by the chairman, Rt. Hon. Muraina Ajibola and three other members.
The disqualified aspirants were said to have been screened out for failing to meet the necessary requirements.
However, 33 aspirants, who are loyal to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, were cleared.
Most of them are incumbent members of Rivers Assembly.
The committee said it had successfully verified the credentials of the cleared aspirants and they met the party’s eligibility criteria to participate in the primaries.
Those cleared to participate in the primaries include; Maol Dumle, Major M. Jack, Nwabochi Frankline, Ofiks K. Christopher, Enemi Alabo George, Tonye Smart Adoki, Tekenari W. Granville,
Azeru Opara, Igwe Obey Aforji, Opuende Lolo Isaiah, Ukalikpe Napoleon, Hope Ugwumadu, Kenneth Minimah, Justina Aniton Okorji, Onyema Rex Nwankwo, Jumbo Soparagha, Wami Solomon, Gift Esede Ali, Ejekwu Chisa Nathan and
Peter E. Abbey.
Others include; Loolo Bulabari Henrietta, Barida Alice Samuel, Ohanuna Bright, Kue Yeghene Nwankwo Chimezie C., Emeji Gloria Chika, Ejekwu, Ezebunwo Leslie, Okpokipou Peters, Arnold O. Davids, Gerald C. Oforji, Amadi Promise Amadi, Opuene Thompson Atekebo and Amakri Awowari.
Prominent among the disqualified aspirants include; former Chairman of Obio/Akpor local government and core loyalist of Governor Fubara, Chijioke Kemzunum Ihunwo and others.
Daily Trust recalls that a total of 98 aspirants obtained nomination forms to contest for the APC state assembly primaries in Rivers and went through screening at the party Secretariat in Port Harcourt over the weekend.
The development has further heightened political tension in Rivers ahead of the 2027 general elections, as Wike’s loyalists all have their ways in the screening, while those aligning with Fubara are screened out.
A supporter of Fubara said that the action of the party may make it easy for any other organized opposition party to win Rivers in the 2027 general election.
He said: “You cannot just pursue out your key mobilizers from the party because you want to please a particular interest and you expect them to sit back and work for the success of the same people that oppressed them.
“Though we are handling it as a party, but if it’s not handle well, I believe APC as a party has just shot itself in the foot, and the resultant effect will be felt during the general election.”
