The All Progressives Congress (APC) screening committee for the Rivers State House of Assembly has disqualified 32 aspirants reportedly backed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, including former factional Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo and two other lawmakers loyal to the governor.
The committee, however, cleared 29 serving lawmakers aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, led by Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol, to participate in the party’s primaries ahead of the 2027 State Assembly election.
Also said to have secured the party’s nomination form is the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, who is reportedly seeking to contest for a seat in the House of Representatives.
A total of 98 aspirants appeared before the four-member screening panel constituted by the APC National Working Committee. The exercise was held over the weekend at the party secretariat in Port Harcourt.
According to a copy of the committee’s report obtained on Monday, the panel said it adopted a transparent, orderly and participatory process in carrying out its assignment.
“The Screening Committee constituted by the National Working Committee of the party respectfully submits its report on the screening exercise conducted for aspirants seeking nomination under the platform of the party for election into the Rivers State House of Assembly for the 2027 General Elections,” the report stated.
It added that the committee discharged its mandate with diligence, fairness, transparency and fidelity to the democratic ideals and progressive principles of the party.
The panel described the exercise as largely peaceful but disclosed that Victor Oko-Jumbo allegedly attempted to gain access to the venue with security aides, leading to a disagreement with policemen on duty before security operatives restored order.
It also alleged that one of the aspirants, Tonye Garrick Tom-George, who is seeking to represent Asari-Toru I, attempted to bribe members of the committee by presenting an envelope containing money alongside his passport photograph in an apparent bid to influence the screening process.
The committee said the matter was immediately reported to the police.
Among those disqualified were Oko-Jumbo, Sokari Goodboy, Timothy Orubitanubigha, and Chijioke Ihunwo, all believed to be loyal to Governor Fubara.
Those cleared include Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol, House Leader Major Jack, House Spokesman Enemi Alabo George, and other lawmakers aligned with the Wike political camp.
The committee said several factors informed the disqualification of some aspirants, including nomination by party members not financially up to date, attempted inducement of committee members, submission of unsworn affidavits, failure to present voter cards and party membership slips, conflicting dates of birth, irregularities in membership records, inconsistencies in names on documents, and invalid affidavits relating to educational certificates.
The panel concluded that the exercise was conducted in substantial compliance with the constitution and guidelines of the party, describing the process as a reflection of the democratic principles of the APC.
