APC Disqualifies Ben Bruce, Onijala, 45 Other Senatorial Aspirants

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has disqualified no fewer than 47 senatorial aspirants from participating in its Senate primary elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Among the prominent politicians affected are former senator Ben Murray-Bruce, Ambassador Olutola John Onijala, former Rivers Deputy Governor Ipalibo Banigo, and businessman Tein Jack-Rich.

The party announced the development in a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, following the conclusion of the screening exercise conducted by various screening committees.

According to the APC, the affected aspirants failed to scale the party’s screening process conducted in line with established procedures and guidelines.

“The All Progressives Congress hereby releases the list of Senatorial aspirants not cleared to participate in the Party’s Senate Primary Elections,” the statement read.

“The screening exercise was conducted by the Party’s Screening Committees in accordance with established procedures and guidelines.”

The list released by the party showed that former Bayelsa East senator, Ben Murray-Bruce, was among aspirants not cleared for the exercise. Also disqualified from Bayelsa East was Senator Benson Agadaga.

In Kwara South, Ambassador Olutola John Onijala, Awolola Muritala, and Adeleke Emmanuel Gbenga were all barred from contesting in the primaries.

The Rivers West senatorial district recorded some of the biggest political casualties on the list, with former deputy governor Ipalibo Banigo, former Rivers State commissioner Tamunobaabo Danagogo, businessman Tein Jack-Rich, and Oyukaye Flag Amachree all failing to secure clearance from the party.

Other aspirants affected include Senator Garba Musa Mai Doki from Kebbi South, former senator Usman J. Wowo from the Federal Capital Territory, and several aspirants from Zamfara, Nasarawa, Oyo, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, and Cross River states.

In Oyo State, Kolapoboye Kola Daisi, son of the late business mogul Chief Kola Daisi, alongside Wasiu Ademola Alli, Hameed Afeez Repete, and Akinremi Alade Bolaji, were among those not cleared.

The APC also disqualified multiple aspirants from Zamfara State, including Sanusi Ibrahim Garachi, Aliyu Abubakar, Muhammad Bashir Maru, Hassan Muhammad Gusau, Abubakar H. Moriiki, Bilyaminu Yusuf, and Isyaka Ajiya Anka.

Although the party did not provide specific reasons for the disqualification of individual aspirants, sources within the APC said the screening process considered eligibility requirements, documentation, party guidelines, and other internal conditions.

The release of the list is expected to trigger reactions across several states where some of the affected aspirants are considered influential political figures with strong grassroots structures.

The APC is expected to proceed with its Senate primary elections as part of preparations for the 2027 polls.