CITIZENS COMPASS— Ahead of the 2027 elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, have disqualified 32 aspirants believed to be loyal to the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
They were among the 65 aspirants that were disqualified during the screening exercise that took place yesterday in readiness for the general elections.
Citizens Compass reported that Fubara jetted out of the screening exercise on noticing that he risked disqualification.
So far, 33 aspirants have been cleared from the screening exercise according to the list released by APC on Monday.
Rivers State APC Publicity Secretary, Chibike Ikenga, confirmed the list on Monday, in a statement.
Ikenga advised all aspirants who purchased House of Assembly Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to check their status at the party’s state secretariat located along Aba Road in Port Harcourt.
The list released by APC cleared the names of serving members of the Rivers State House of Assembly believed to be loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, were cleared by the screening committee.
The Publicity Secretary urged aggrieved aspirants to appeal the outcome of the screening exercise through the appeal process scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 10 a.m. at the party’s secretariat.
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.
There were insinuations that the disqualification was masterminded by the Minister for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Meanwhile, the minister has distanced himself from the insinuations.
Similarly, Secretary, Screening Committee For Rivers State, Hon. Tanko Yamowa, has debunked the circulated list of both cleared and uncleared candidates.
Yamowa debunked this in a statement which reads: The attention of the party leadership has been drawn to the circulation of a purported list of cleared and uncleared aspirants for the Rivers State House of Assembly currently making rounds across various media platforms.
We wish to categorically state that the said publication is false, unauthorized, and does not emanate from the appropriate party authorities.
It is important to note that the screening exercise conducted by the committee headed by Mauriana Ajibola was concluded less than 24 hours ago, and no official list has been released by the party at this time.
As a responsible political party, we are guided by established procedures, rules, and timelines regarding the publication of screening results and related information. Any official communication concerning the status of aspirants will be communicated through the appropriate channels in due course.
We therefore urge party faithful, aspirants, supporters, and the general public to disregard the purported list and treat it as the handiwork of mischief makers whose intention is to create confusion and unnecessary tension within the party.
The party remains committed to transparency, fairness, and due process throughout the entire exercise.
