APC disqualifies top House of Reps aspirants from Primaries

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has disqualified several House of Representatives aspirants from participating in the party’s National Assembly primaries, according to an official document released by the party.

The document, titled “Screened and Disqualified House of Representatives Aspirants,” listed 14 aspirants from Ondo, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Kogi and Rivers states who were marked “Not Cleared” by the party’s screening panel.

Among those affected were former Deputy Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Arowole Ayodeji Samuel, who sought the APC ticket for the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, and Hon. Adefisoye Tajudeen, an aspirant for the Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency in Ondo State.

Also disqualified were Olusegun Victor Ategbole and Seun Oluwashina Ajongbolo, both contesting for the Akoko South-East/South-West Federal Constituency, as well as Morufu Tosin Ibrahim, Oseni Oyeniyi and Olaleye John Adedipe, all from the Akoko North-East/North-West Federal Constituency.

In Bauchi State, Dr Bashir Ibrahim Bello was not cleared for the Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency race, while Hon. Idu Igariwe was disqualified from contesting for the Afikpo-Edda Federal Constituency seat in Ebonyi State.

The APC screening panel also ruled out Sanni Salau Ogembe from the Okene/Ogori/Magongo Federal Constituency contest in Kogi State.

In Rivers State, prominent aspirants affected included retired Air Commodore John Azubuike Opara, who sought the Port Harcourt Federal Constituency ticket, Hon. Anderson Allison Igbiki for Okrika/Ogu/Bolo, Awaji Imombek D. Abirite for Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro, and Hon. Boma Goodhead for the Asari-Toru/Akuku-Toru Federal Constituency.

The document, signed by Felix Morka, National Publicity Secretary, APC, did not specify the reasons behind the disqualification of the aspirants.

The development is expected to heighten political tension in some constituencies, particularly in Rivers and Ondo states, where several heavyweight aspirants were affected by the screening outcome.