The All Progressives Congress (APC) screening exercise for Rivers State House of Assembly aspirants has ended with the disqualification of 65 aspirants, including former factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Oko Jumbo, and former Obio/Akpor Local Government Chairman, Chijioke Kemzunum Ihunwo.
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Most of the aspirants who were not cleared are said to be loyalists of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
According to the report of the screening committee, 33 aspirants were cleared to participate in the party’s state assembly primaries ahead of the 2027 elections, while 65 others were disqualified.
The committee’s report was signed by its chairman, Rt. Hon. Muraina Ajibola, and three other members.
The screening exercise, which ended on Sunday, May 10, 2026, followed the purchase of nomination forms by 98 aspirants seeking to contest the APC state assembly primaries in Rivers State.
The aspirants were screened at the party’s secretariat in Port Harcourt over the weekend.
The committee said the aspirants who were cleared had their credentials successfully verified and met the party’s eligibility requirements for participation in the primaries.
Those cleared include Maol Dumle, Major M. Jack, Nwabochi Frankline, Ofiks K. Christopher, Enemi Alabo George, Tonye Smart Adoki, Tekenari W. Granville, Azeru Opara, Igwe Obey Aforji, Opuende Lolo Isaiah, Ukalikpe Napoleon, Hope Ugwumadu, Kenneth Minimah, Justina Aniton Okorji, Onyema Rex Nwankwo, Jumbo Soparagha, Wami Solomon, Gift Esede Ali, Ejekwu Chisa Nathan and Peter E. Abbey.
Others are Loolo Bulabari Henrietta, Barida Alice Samuel, Ohanuna Bright N., Kue Yeghene, Nwankwo Chimezie C., Emeji Gloria Chika, Ejekwu Ezebunwo Leslie, Okpokipoy Peters, Arnold O. Davids, Gerald C. Oforji, Amadi Promise Amadi, Opuene Thompson Atekebo and Amakri Awowari.
The report indicated that all 29 incumbent lawmakers aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, were among those cleared to participate in the primaries.
The lawmakers are reportedly led by the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol.
However, several aspirants believed to be in Governor Fubara’s camp were not cleared.
Prominent among those disqualified were Victor Oko Jumbo and Chijioke Kemzunum Ihunwo, both known political allies of the governor.
Others not cleared include Orubibanugha Timothy, Chime Eguma Ezebulike, Onyema Loveday Hechiaru, Tonye Briggs Oniyide, Chris Okey Ochije, Amua Isioma Henry, Sokari Goodboy Sokari, Ideye Granville, Nwoziri Chukwuemeka Best Bishop, Oba Fred Ajubulaka, Kpeden Kenneth, Chigozie Emem Jnr, Emeji Wisdom Chimele, Gift Okere and Jolly Benjamin Ngbor.
Also on the list are Luke Mobene Eneriene, Nwankwoala Paul, Prince Lezina Ngbor, Bobby Abayomi, Reuben Vincent Obu, Bellor Kingsley Waite, Morris Prince Lelesi, Claudius Princewill, Abdurazaq Tamunodiepriye, Fubara Goodluck Ohaka, Berebupakabo Isaac Sekibo, Prince Achor, Sokari Samuel Reginald, Wechie Ndubisi Raymond, Tyger Ebemeniya Dumo and Goodluck G. Menekpugi.
Others include Gbosi Mathew Bardagara, Tonye Garrick Tom-George, Prince Emukuighro Fubara, Tamunobaraiba George, Obunezi O. Clinton, Chinondu Wokocha, Akpanah Ibibo, Tamunokuro Alex Somiari, Opakirite Tonye Lawson, Nengisa Akuro-Egerton, Okere C. Chigozie, Igwe Princewill Ake, Karibi Karibi Bobmanuel, Chizobam Oba Wokekoro, Tamunotonye Briggs, Victory Victor Uchendu, Crowther S. Snithers, Green Tamunodienye, Ibima Firstbury Garrick, Atuzie Ntekachi Collins, Gogo-Ogute Isaiah, Murphy Deemua, Adele Justice Nkanitye, Williams Chimadhu, Epelle Sotonye P., Awoala Daniel Wokoma, Tamunotonye Lolomari, Ejekwe Princewill Amos, Oduye Tom-West, Solomon Deesi Lenu, Legborsi Sunday Yamaabana and Macsunday Uziuke Ugwu.
The committee cited several reasons for the disqualifications, including nomination by persons who were not financially up-to-date members of the party, attempted inducement or bribery, submission of unsworn affidavits, failure to present voter cards or party membership slips, conflicting dates of birth, irregular documentation, and insufficient or invalid nominators.
The development has further heightened political tension in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections, especially as Wike’s loyalists appear to have had a clean sweep in the screening, while many aspirants aligned with Fubara were screened out.
A supporter of Governor Fubara warned that the outcome could hurt the APC in the general election if not properly managed.
“You cannot just pursue out your key mobilisers from the party because you want to please a particular interest and you expect them to sit back and work for the success of the same people that oppressed them,” the supporter said.
“Though we are handling it as a party, but if it’s not handled well, I believe APC as a party has just shot itself in the foot, and the resultant effect will be felt during the general election.”
The screening committee, however, said it had concluded its assignment and commended aspirants, party officials and security personnel for their cooperation and conduct throughout the exercise.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, was said to have picked the nomination form for the House of Representatives.
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