The All Progressives Congress (APC) Screening Committee for the Rivers State House of Assembly has cleared 33 aspirants to participate in the party’s primaries ahead of the 2027 General Elections, following a two-day screening exercise in Port Harcourt.
According to the committee’s report dated May 10, the exercise was conducted at the APC State Secretariat and later forwarded to the party’s National Working Committee in Abuja through the National Organising Secretary.
However, the screening process was overshadowed by controversy after the committee alleged an attempted bribery incident involving Mr. Tonye Garrick Tom-George, an aspirant for the Asari Toru 1 seat.
The committee claimed that Tom-George allegedly handed over an envelope containing money to influence the screening outcome.
It added that the matter has been reported to the police for investigation.
The committee also disclosed that 65 aspirants failed to secure clearance over issues, including nominations submitted by persons who were not financially up to date with the party, conflicting dates of birth, unsworn affidavits, and failure to provide voter cards or party membership slips.
One of the aspirants denied clearance, Victor Oko Jumbo, was specifically mentioned in the report for allegedly engaging in a disagreement with police officers after insisting on entering the screening venue with security aides.
The screening panel, chaired by Muraina Ajibola, cleared several aspirants, including Maol Dumle, Gift Esede Ali, Major Jack, Ejekwu Chisa Nathan, Nwabochi Frankline, Peter Abbey, Ofiks Christopher, Loolo Bulabari Henrietta, Enemi Alabo George, and Barida Alice Samuel.
Others cleared are Tonye Smart Adoki, Ohanuna Bright, Tekenari Granville, Kue Yeghene, Azeru Opara, Nwankwo Chimezie, Igwe Aforji, Emeji Gloria Chika, Opuende Lolo Isaiah, Ejekwu Ezebunwo Leslie, Ukalikpe Napoleon, Okpokipoy Peters, Hope Ugwumadu, Arnold O. Davids, Kenneth Minimah and Gerald Oforji.
Also cleared by the committee were Justina Aniton Okorji, Amadi Promise Amadi, Onyema Rex Nwankwo, Opuene Thompson Atekebo, Jumbo Soparagha, Amakri Awowari, and Wami Solomon.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State chapter of the APC has directed all aspirants who participated in the screening exercise to verify their status on the notice board at the party’s state secretariat in Port Harcourt.
In a statement issued by the APC State Publicity Secretary, Chibuike Ikenga, the party advised aggrieved aspirants to channel any appeals arising from the screening outcome through the party secretariat.
The statement added that the appeal process is scheduled to take place on Tuesday.
