Author: Gist Correspondent

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has released the final screening report for aspirants seeking to contest the 2027 Rivers State House of Assembly primaries, clearing 33 aspirants while disqualifying 65 others across various constituencies in the state ahead of the primaries scheduled to hold on Wednesday.

The screening outcome, which has sparked intense political reactions within the party, showed that several prominent aspirants failed to meet the requirements set by the party’s screening committee before the commencement of the primary elections.

Among those cleared to participate in the exercise are Maol Dumle for Gokana, Major M. Jack for Akuku-Toru 1, Nwaochi Frankline for ONELGA 1, Tonye Smart Adoki for PHALGA 2, Kenneth Minimah for ONELGA, Justina Aniton Okorji for Ahoada East, Wami Solomon for Port Harcourt City 1, Peter E. Abbey for Degema, and Opuene Thompson Akebobo for Okrika.

However, the newly released section of the screening report revealed a long list of aspirants marked “Not Cleared” by the committee. Those affected cut across several local government areas and constituencies in Rivers State.

Some of the notable aspirants disqualified include Tonye Briggs Oniyide from Akuku-Toru 1, Chris Okey Ochije from ONELGA 2, Amua Isioma Henry from ONELGA 1, Chidioke Kemzunum Ihunwo from Obio/Akpor, Ideye Granville from Asari-Toru 2, and Oba Fred Ajubulaka from Okrika.

Others listed as not cleared are Kpeden Kenneth of Gokana, Chigozie Emem of Etche 2, Gift Okere of Oyigbo, Luke Mobene Eneriene of Andoni, Victor Oko Jumbo of Bonny, Reuben Vincent Obu of Abua/Odua, Morris Prince Lelesi of Khana, and Claudius Princewill from Asari-Toru 1.

The report also showed that Tamunodiepriye Fubara Goodluck Ohaka from Emohua, Berekupakabo Isaac Sekibo from Ogu/Bolo, Prince Achor from Obio/Akpor, Tyger Ebemeniya Dumo from Degema, Tonye Garrick Tom-George from Asari-Toru 1, Chinondu Wokocha from Etche, and Opakirite Tonye Lawson from Asalga were unable to scale through the screening process.

Further names on the disqualification list include Nengisa Akuro-Egerton from Okrika, Okere C. Chigozie from Omuma, Igwe Princewill Ake from Eleme, Tamunotonye Briggs from Akuku-Toru 1, Victory Victor Uchendu from Emohua, Green Tamunodienye from Bonny, Murphy Deemua from Khana 2, and Adele Justice Nkaniye from Obio/Akpor.

The screening committee also declined the applications of aspirants such as Epelle Sotonye P. from Opobo/Nkoro, Awola Daniel Wokoma from Asari-Toru 2, Tamunotonye Lolomari from Akuku-Toru 2, Solomon Deesi Lenu from Khana, Legborsi Sunday Yamaabana from Khana, and Macsunday Uziuke Ugwu from Ahoada East.

Party insiders said the exercise was conducted in line with APC guidelines and documentation requirements approved by the party’s national leadership. Sources within the party disclosed that the final list received the endorsement of the APC National Secretariat ahead of the commencement of the primary elections.

The development has, however, intensified political tension within the Rivers APC, with supporters of some affected aspirants already expressing dissatisfaction over the outcome of the screening process.

Observers believe the large number of disqualified aspirants could trigger protests and deepen internal grievances within the party, especially in constituencies where multiple aspirants were screened out just hours before the primaries.

Despite the controversies trailing the exercise, APC leaders insist the screening process was transparent and necessary to ensure that only qualified party members participate in the 2027 electoral process.

The party is expected to commence the State House of Assembly primaries across Rivers State on Wednesday, as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.