The All Progressives Congress screening committee for the Rivers State House of Assembly has released its final report after a two-day exercise held at the party secretariat in Port Harcourt.
The report, obtained on Monday, showed that 33 aspirants were cleared while 65 failed to scale through the screening process.
All 29 serving lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, led by Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol, were cleared to contest the APC primaries ahead of the 2027 Assembly election.
Speaker Martin Amaewhule was also reported to have obtained a nomination form to contest for the House of Representatives.
A total of 98 aspirants appeared before the four-man screening panel. However, all 32 aspirants reportedly backed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, including former factional speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo and two other pro-Fubara lawmakers, were not cleared.
The committee’s report was signed by chairman Rt. Hon. Muraina Ajibola, secretary Hon. Ishaku Tanko Yamawo, alongside members Abdullah Hajia Aisha Abdullahi Adamu and Hon. Danjuma Samuel.
According to the report, the panel adopted a transparent and fair process while screening all 98 aspirants who appeared before it.
“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 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 peaceful and orderly but noted an incident involving Oko-Jumbo.
“Mr. Victor Oko-Jumbo, who insisted on entering the screening venue with a retinue of security aides, thereby resulting in a disagreement with officers of the Nigeria Police Force on duty.
“The security agents successfully put the situation under control and the screening continued smoothly.”
The committee also revealed that an aspirant, Tonye Garrick Tom-George, allegedly attempted to bribe members of the panel and was subsequently reported to the police.
“In the course of the Committee’s sitting, Mr. Tonye Garrick Tom-George, an aspirant for the Asari Toru 1 seat, approached the Committee and handed over an envelope containing money together with his passport photograph in an apparent attempt to improperly influence the screening process. The incident was reported to the police,” the report stated.
The committee further disclosed that petitions were submitted against some aspirants, while some applications contained discrepancies in documentation.
Among those not cleared were pro-Fubara lawmakers Oko-Jumbo, Sokari Goodboy and Timothy Orubibanugha, as well as Fubara ally Chijioke Ihunwo and several others.
The report, however, confirmed the clearance of lawmakers including Dumle Maol, Major Jack and Enemi Alabo George to participate in the party primaries.
It also listed reasons for disqualification, including invalid nominations, attempted inducement of committee members, unsworn affidavits, failure to present voter’s cards or party membership documents, conflicting birth records, irregular membership details and insufficient nominators.
“The Committee is satisfied that it diligently and faithfully discharged the responsibility entrusted to it. The screening exercise was conducted in substantial compliance with the Constitution and Guidelines of the Party and reflected the democratic spirit for which the Party stands,” the report concluded.
