By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The Screening Committee of the All Progressives Congress has disqualified former factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Oko Jumbo, alongside 64 other aspirants from participating in the forthcoming State Assembly primaries ahead of the 2027 elections.
Most of the disqualified aspirants are loyalists of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The screening committee report, signed by chairman Rt. Hon. Muraina Ajibola and three other members, stated that the affected aspirants failed to meet the required conditions for qualification.
Meanwhile, 33 aspirants loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, were cleared to contest the primaries.
Most of those cleared are serving members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
According to the committee, the credentials of the successful aspirants were thoroughly verified and found to meet the party’s eligibility requirements for participation in the primaries.
Those cleared include Maol Dumle, Major M. Jack, Nwabochi Frankline, Ofiks K. Christopher, Enemi Alabo George, Tonye Smart Adoki, Tekenari W. Granville, Azeru Opara, Igwe Obey Aforji, Opuende Lolo Isaiah, Ukalikpe Napoleon, Hope Ugwumadu, Kenneth Minimah, Justina Aniton Okorji, Onyema Rex Nwankwo, Jumbo Soparagha, Wami Solomon, Gift Esede Ali, Ejekwu Chisa Nathan and Peter E. Abbey.
Others are Loolo Bulabari Henrietta, Barida Alice Samuel, Ohanuna Bright, Kue Yeghene Nwankwo, Chimezie C. Emeji, Gloria Chika Ejekwu, Ezebunwo Leslie, Okpokipou Peters, Arnold O. Davids, Gerald C. Oforji, Amadi Promise Amadi, Opuene Thompson Atekebo and Amakri Awowari.
Among the notable aspirants disqualified is former Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area and key Fubara ally, Chijioke Kemzunum Ihunwo.
A total of 98 aspirants had obtained nomination forms to contest the APC State Assembly primaries in Rivers State and were screened at the party secretariat in Port Harcourt over the weekend.
The development has intensified political tension in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Wike loyalists emerging successful in the screening process while aspirants aligned with Fubara were largely disqualified.
A supporter of Fubara said the development could create an opportunity for another well-organized opposition party to win the state in 2027.
He said: “You cannot just pursue out your key mobilizers from the party because you want to please a particular interest and you expect them to sit back and work for the success of the same people that oppressed them.
“Though we are handling it as a party, but if it’s not handle well, I believe APC as a party has just shot itself in the foot, and the resultant effect will be felt during the general election.”