The All Progressives Congress (APC) has disqualified 47 aspirants from participating in the party’s senatorial primaries scheduled to hold today across the country.
The affected aspirants cut across several states and senatorial districts, including Adamawa, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Jigawa, Kebbi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara states.
Among the notable figures affected by the disqualification are former senator Ben Murray-Bruce from Bayelsa East, former Rivers governorship aspirant Tein Jack-Rich, former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Ipalibo Banigo, and several serving and former lawmakers.
In Adamawa State, Hon. Hamish Idris and Hon. Abdurman Kwacham were barred from contesting the North Senatorial District primary, while Chimzobam Kingsley Nnalue was disqualified in Anambra North.
Bayelsa recorded multiple disqualifications, including Donald Daunemigita in Bayelsa West, alongside Sen. Ben Murray-Bruce and Sen. Benson S. Agadaga in Bayelsa East.
In Cross River, Daniel Effiong Asuquo and Oden Ibiang O. Ewa were excluded from the primaries in the South and Central senatorial districts respectively, while Dr. Marian Nnamaka Ogoh-Ali was affected in Delta North.
The Federal Capital Territory also saw the disqualification of Sen. Usman J. Wowo and Abubakar Umar Abdullahi.
Kwara and Oyo states recorded some of the highest numbers of affected aspirants. In Kwara, aspirants disqualified include Kollo B. Jiya, Amb. Olutola John Onijala, Awolola Muritala and Adeleke Emmanuel Gbenga.
Similarly, in Oyo State, Ademola Wasiu Alli, Ajimobi Wasiu Adegboyega, Kolapoboye Kola Daisi, Faozey Oladotun Nurudeen, Hon. Hameed Afeez Repete and Amb. Pst. Akinremi Alade Bolaji were excluded from the exercise.
Rivers State also featured prominently on the list, with Oyukaye Flag Amachree, Chief Dr. Tamunobaabo Wemike Danagogo, Tein Jack-Rich T.S., Banigo Ipalibo and Chief Barry Balera Mwara among those disqualified.
Zamfara State recorded the highest number of affected aspirants, with seven contenders barred from the primaries across the Central, North and West senatorial districts.
Although the APC leadership has yet to officially disclose reasons for the disqualifications, party sources attributed the development to issues ranging from irregularities in nomination documents to failure to meet screening requirements.
The party is expected to proceed with the senatorial primaries nationwide amid heightened political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Source – thewatchnewspaper
(vitalnewsngr.com)
