Protests, allegations of imposition and disqualifications have marred the All Progressives Congress House of Representatives primaries, exposing fresh divisions within the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The APC confirmed that 14 aspirants who were screened for House of Representatives tickets were not cleared to contest in Saturday’s primaries. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said the screening was conducted by the party’s committees in line with established procedures and guidelines, but did not give individual reasons for the disqualifications.
The affected aspirants cut across Ondo, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Kogi and Rivers states. Ondo recorded the highest number, with seven aspirants barred from the contest, including Adefisoye Tajudeen for Idanre/Ifedore, Olusegun Ategbole and Seun Ajongbolo for Akoko South-East/South-West, Arowole Samuel for Owo/Ose, and Morufu Ibrahim, Oseni Oyeniyi and Olaleye Adedipe for Akoko North-East/North-West.
In Rivers State, four aspirants were disqualified, including John Opara for Port Harcourt Federal Constituency, Anderson Igbiki for Okrika/Ogu/Bolo, Awaji Abirite for Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro, and Boma Goodhead for Asari-Toru/Akuku-Toru. Reports described some of the affected aspirants as allies of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, a development that has heightened tension in the state chapter of the party.
The APC also barred Bashir Bello from contesting the Darazo/Ganjuwa seat in Bauchi, Idu Igariwe from Afikpo-Edda in Ebonyi, and Sanni Ogembe from Okene/Ogori/Magongo in Kogi.
The disqualifications came amid wider unrest within the APC’s pre-primary process. Earlier screening exercises triggered petitions, protests, legal threats and accusations of candidate imposition across several states, including Taraba, Kano, Jigawa, Anambra, Benue, Kogi, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Rivers and Plateau. More than 150 aspirants were reportedly affected by screening decisions across different elective categories.
In Rivers, supporters of former presidential aspirant Tein Jack-Rich also protested his disqualification from the Rivers West senatorial race, accusing party leaders of favouring politicians loyal to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike.
Amid confusion over voting requirements, the APC clarified that registered party members were not required to show proof of membership dues payment before voting in the primaries. Morka said the dues requirement applied only to aspirants and their nominators during nomination and screening.
The controversies have raised concerns that unresolved grievances could fuel defections, litigation and anti-party activities unless the appeal process restores confidence among aggrieved aspirants and their supporters.
