Confusion Rocks Rivers APC as Officials Clash Over Assembly Screening Report

Confusion has engulfed the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following conflicting claims over the outcome of the screening exercise for aspirants seeking tickets for the State House of Assembly primaries.

The controversy erupted after reports emerged that dozens of aspirants, many believed to be loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, were disqualified from participating in the primaries, while candidates linked to Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, were cleared.

The disputed report, which reportedly listed cleared and disqualified aspirants, was said to have been signed by the chairman of the screening committee, Rt. Hon. Muraina Ajibola, alongside three other members of the panel.

Copies of the document were circulated by the Rivers APC Publicity Secretary, Chubike Ikenga, shortly after the exercise.

However, the Secretary of the Screening Committee, Hon. Tanko Yamowa, distanced himself from the report, insisting that no official list had been released by the party.

In a statement, Yamowa described the circulating document as unauthorized and misleading.

“The attention of the party leadership has been drawn to the circulation of a purported list of cleared and uncleared aspirants for the Rivers State House of Assembly currently making rounds across various media platforms,” he said.

“We wish to categorically state that the said publication is false, unauthorized, and does not emanate from the appropriate party authorities.”

He explained that the screening exercise had only recently been concluded and that the party was yet to officially communicate the outcome.

“It is important to note that the screening exercise conducted by the committee headed by Mauriana Ajibola was concluded less than 24 hours ago, and no official list has been released by the party at this time,” Yamowa stated.

He urged party members and supporters to disregard the report, describing it as an attempt by “mischief makers” to create tension within the APC.

“The party remains committed to transparency, fairness, and due process throughout the entire exercise,” he added.

But Ikenga dismissed Yamowa’s position, insisting that the screening report being circulated was authentic and that affected aspirants had already been advised to seek redress through the party’s appeal process.

According to him, aspirants dissatisfied with their disqualification should channel their complaints through the APC appeal committee.

“Which statement did the man issue? That is fake news; the report is out,” Ikenga said.

“If you read our statement, we said tomorrow is the day they can make the appeal to the appeal committee. They can approach the appeal committee from the national to the state secretariat of the party to challenge their disqualification.”

The disagreement has further exposed the deepening political rift within the Rivers APC ahead of the 2027 elections, with loyalists of Fubara and Wike battling for control of the party structure in the state.

The lingering feud between both camps has continued to shape political alignments in Rivers, with observers warning that the crisis could weaken the party’s chances if not resolved before the primaries.

Source: Daily Trust