THE fate of some aspirants into the Rivers State House of Assembly, who are believed to be loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, appears to be hanging in the balance, following reports that many of them have been disqualified by the screening committee.
Though there were conflicting reports on the situation of things regarding the screened aspirants, sources close to the All Progressives Congress (APC) confirmed to the Nigerian Tribune that the fate of many of the contestants might have been sealed.
“The committee has done its job. All the documents needed to be attached have been attached to the forms of each aspirant. But the party has the final say,” a source in the know said.
The source in the party said that all that was required to clear and disqualify the aspirants had been submitted by the screening committee, adding that the National Working Committee, however, has the final say on the matter.
The development, according to the sources, places loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, firmly in charge of the transition process in Rivers.
According to the sources, the Rivers State House of Assembly Screening Committee of the APC, in its report, had, after the two-day exercise conducted at the party secretariat in Port Harcourt, on Saturday and Sunday, screened a total of 98 aspirants, out of which only 33 reportedly scaled the screening hurdle, while 65 were said to have failed the exercise.
Among those cleared were all 29 serving lawmakers loyal to the FCT minister in the Rivers House of Assembly, including the deputy Speaker, Maol Dumle, House Leader, Major Jack, and House spokesman, Enemi Alabo George.
The development is seen as a significant boost for the Wike camp ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, as the cleared lawmakers are expected to participate in the APC primaries.
In what observers describe as a major blow to Governor Fubara, all 32 aspirants reportedly backed by the governor were said to have been disqualified by the committee.
Sources privy to the report said that those who were not cleared in the report included former factional Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo, alongside lawmakers loyal to the governor, Sokari Goodboy, and Timothy Orubibanuagha. Also affected was a known ally of the governor, Chijioke Ihunwo.
Meanwhile, Speaker of the state assembly, Martin Amaewhule, was reported to have obtained nomination forms to contest for the House of Representatives seat.
Reacting to the development, the state chapter of the APC has asked aspirants, who participated in the screening to check their status at the party secretariat along Aba Road, Port Harcourt.
In a statement by the state Publicity Secretary, Chibike Ikenga, the party said appeals arising from the screening outcome would commence today, through the party secretariat.
Screening Committee disowns report of disqualification
In another twist on Monday, the Secretary of the screening committee for Rivers, Tanko Yamowa, denied that the report of the disqualified aspirants emanated from the committee, adding that the report was false, unauthorized, and “does not emanate from the appropriate party authorities.”
The statement clarified that it is important to note that the screening exercise conducted by the committee headed by Honourable Muraina Ajibola, was concluded less than 24 hours ago, and no official list has been released by the party at this time.
It stated that as a responsible political party, they are guided by established procedures, rules, and timelines regarding the publication of screening results and related information.
The statement insisted that any official communication concerning the status of aspirants will be communicated through the appropriate channels in due course.
The statement, therefore, urged party faithful, aspirants, supporters, and the general public to disregard the purported list and treat it as the handiwork of mischief makers whose intention is to create confusion and unnecessary tension within the party.
It further affirmed that the party remains committed to transparency, fairness, and due process throughout the entire exercise.
‘Axed’ aspirants have the right of appeal — APC national secretary
Amidst the confusion over the fate of certain lawmakers in the Rivers Assembly, believed to have been disqualified by the Screening Committee led by Honourable Ajibola, the national secretariat of the party has reacted to the development.
Reports had indicated that the factional Speaker of the Rivers assembly, Victor Oko Jumbo, and 64 other aspirants who are loyalists of Governor Sim Fubara have been axed by the screening committee.
Reacting to the development in a telephone interview with the Nigerian Tribune, National Secretary of the party, Senator Ajibola Basiru, did not confirm if the factional speaker has been disqualified ahead of the primary for state assembly ticket in the South-South state.
He said: “There is no such report before us. No one will stampede us.
“In any case, even any aspirant is disqualified, he has a right to appeal. That’s why we have the screening appeal panel.
“Such aspirant(s) can always approach the panel to state their case. So, the report of the screening committee isn’t final and binding on the National Working Committee. There is a window for appeal.”
tribuneonlineng.com
