By Our Correspondent
National News – Loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, dominated the screening exercise conducted by the All Progressives Congress for the 2027 Rivers State House of Assembly elections, as 33 aspirants were cleared to participate in the party primaries.
The screening committee released its final report after a two-day exercise held at the APC secretariat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Out of 98 aspirants screened, 33 were cleared while 65 failed to meet the requirements set by the party.
Among those cleared were 29 serving lawmakers loyal to Wike, including Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol, House Leader Major Jack, and House spokesman Enemi Alabo George.
However, lawmakers and political allies linked to Governor Siminalayi Fubara were disqualified during the exercise.
Former factional Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo, Sokari Goodboy, Timothy Orubibanugha, and Chijioke Ihunwo were among aspirants not cleared by the committee.
The panel also revealed that the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, picked a nomination form to contest for a seat in the House of Representatives.
According to the committee, the screening was conducted fairly, transparently, and peacefully despite a brief disagreement involving Oko-Jumbo and security personnel at the venue.
The panel further disclosed that an aspirant, Tonye Garrick Tom-George, allegedly attempted to bribe committee members with money concealed in an envelope, prompting the matter to be reported to the police.
The committee listed reasons for disqualification, including invalid affidavits, incomplete party membership records, conflicting birth dates, insufficient nominators, and failure to provide voter cards.
APC officials said the process complied with party guidelines and reflected internal democratic principles ahead of the 2027 elections.
