The All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly Screening Appeal Committee in Rivers State has confirmed the disqualification of dozens of aspirants seeking to contest the party’s forthcoming legislative primaries, deepening the political divide between camps loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike.
The appeal panel, chaired by Abdul Mahmud, disclosed on Tuesday in Port Harcourt that 33 aspirants were cleared to proceed for the APC primaries, while 65 others failed the screening process.
The committee also confirmed receiving 19 petitions from aggrieved aspirants challenging their disqualification, with the appeal window expected to close on Wednesday.
Among those reportedly affected are politicians believed to be aligned with Governor Fubara, including former factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo.
The controversy follows the release of the APC screening report which indicated that only 33 out of 98 aspirants who appeared before the panel were cleared.
Reports said many of those cleared are lawmakers and political figures associated with the Wike camp.
Speaking during the appeal proceedings, Mahmud said the panel would examine all complaints and supporting documents submitted by affected aspirants before arriving at a final decision.
He maintained that the process would be transparent and fair.
The screening exercise has generated tension within the Rivers APC, with supporters of Governor Fubara alleging bias and selective treatment in the process.
The party, however, insisted that the appeal mechanism remains open to all dissatisfied aspirants.
Earlier, the APC screening committee had cited alleged irregularities including incomplete documentation, inconsistencies in personal records, absence of valid party membership evidence, and issues relating to nomination forms as reasons for disqualifying several aspirants.
The outcome of the appeal process is expected to determine the final list of candidates eligible to participate in the APC House of Assembly primaries scheduled later this month in Rivers State.
