The All Progressives Congress (APC) has disqualified former senator Ben Murray-Bruce, businessman Tein Jack-Rich, and 45 other aspirants from participating in its forthcoming senatorial primaries.
The party announced the decision after the conclusion of its screening exercise ahead of the elections, stating that the affected aspirants failed to meet certain requirements outlined in the party’s guidelines.
According to party officials, the screening committee reviewed the credentials and eligibility status of all aspirants before arriving at its recommendations. The APC said only candidates who satisfied constitutional, electoral and internal party conditions were cleared to contest in the primaries.
While the party did not publicly provide detailed reasons for each disqualification, sources within the APC said issues ranging from incomplete documentation to disputes over membership status and eligibility were among factors considered during the screening process.
Murray-Bruce, a former lawmaker who represented Bayelsa East in the Senate, and Jack-Rich, an oil and gas entrepreneur, were among the high-profile names excluded from the final list of cleared aspirants.
The development has triggered reactions from supporters of some affected aspirants, with calls for transparency in the screening process and appeals for a review of the decision.
Party officials, however, insisted that the exercise was conducted in line with established procedures and maintained that the APC remained committed to ensuring credible and orderly primaries.
The ruling party is expected to proceed with its senatorial primaries in the coming days as preparations intensify ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Political observers say the disqualification of several prominent contenders could reshape the contest in a number of states and influence alignments within the party.
Some of the affected aspirants are reportedly considering appealing the outcome of the screening, while others may explore alternative political options if the decisions are upheld.
The APC leadership has urged members to remain calm and support the party’s internal processes, emphasizing the need for unity ahead of the elections.
