The All Progressives Congress (APC) has disqualified 65 aspirants seeking to contest the Rivers State House of Assembly elections, clearing only 33 ahead of the party’s primaries.

The party’s screening committee, chaired by Muraina Ajibola, reviewed a total of 98 aspirants who purchased nomination forms for the 32 available seats.

In its report, signed by Ajibola, Ishaku Tanko Yamawo (Secretary), Aisha Abdullahi Adamu, and Danjuma Samuel, the committee stated that the disqualified aspirants failed to meet the requirements of the screening exercise.

According to the report, reasons for disqualification included alleged inducement and attempted bribery, submission of unsworn affidavits, failure to present voter cards, and inability to provide party membership slips or cards.

Other issues cited were conflicting dates of birth, irregular membership details of nominators, insufficient nominators, inconsistencies in names across documents, and failure to disclose key information relating to NECO certificates.

The committee said it adopted a “transparent, orderly, and participatory procedure,” noting that all aspirants were invited to appear with original credentials and were given the opportunity to respond to questions on their qualifications, political experience, and party involvement.

Among those reportedly disqualified were aspirants linked to Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and former APC governorship candidate, Tonye Cole.

Notable figures from the Fubara camp who were not cleared include Chijioke Ihunwo, Victor Oko-Jumbo, and Sokari Goodboy. The report also alleged that Oko-Jumbo caused a disruption at the screening venue after attempting to enter with security aides.

The committee further indicated that all 33 cleared aspirants are aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The Rivers APC has directed aspirants to verify their screening status on the party’s notice board, while appeals arising from the exercise are to be submitted through the party secretariat on May 12, according to the state publicity secretary, Chibike Ikenga.

Meanwhile, questions continue to trail the screening status of Governor Fubara ahead of the 2027 elections. Speaking on the matter, APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, said the committee would issue its final report after concluding the screening process.