The All Progressives Congress (APC) has disqualified 47 senatorial aspirants across several states following its screening exercise, raising fresh questions about internal party dynamics ahead of upcoming elections.
The affected aspirants span across at least 15 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), cutting across all three senatorial districts in some regions. Prominent among those not cleared are former Bayelsa East Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, former Rivers State deputy governor Banigo Ipalibo, and businessman Tein Jack-Rich.
In Adamawa State, Hon. Hamish Idris and Hon. Abdurman Kwacham were both disqualified from the North Senatorial District. Anambra also recorded one exclusion with Chimzobam Kingsley Nnalue from the North Senatorial District.
Bayelsa saw three aspirants affected, including Ben Murray-Bruce, Sen. Benson S. Agadaga, and Donald Daunemigita, while Cross River had Daniel Effiong Asuquo and Oden Ibiang O Ewa excluded from the South and Central districts respectively.
In Delta State, Dr. Marian Nnamaka Ogoh-Ali was not cleared for the North Senatorial race. The FCT recorded two disqualifications—Sen. Usman J. Wowo and Abubakar Umar Abdullahi.
Northern states also featured prominently on the list. Jigawa’s Adam Mouktar Mohammed and Kebbi’s Sen. Garba Musa Mai Doki were screened out, alongside multiple aspirants from Nasarawa including Abdullahi Tanko Zubairu, Usman Muhammed Elegu, Yusuf Moh’d Agabi, and Ari Ali Muhammed.
Kwara recorded four disqualifications: Kollo B. Jiya, Amb. Olutola John Onijala, Awolola Muritala, and Adeleke Emmanuel Gbenga. Niger State had three affected aspirants, including Muhammed Rabiu Sadiq and Hon. Muhammed Bello A.
In Oyo State, six aspirants failed to scale through the screening process, among them Ajimobi Wasiu Adegboyega and Kolapoboye Kola Daisi. Plateau and Taraba states also recorded multiple exclusions.
Rivers State had one of the highest numbers, with five aspirants disqualified from its senatorial races, including Chief Dr. Tamunobaabo Danagogo, Banigo Ipalibo, and Oyukaye Flag Amachree.
Zamfara State topped the list with seven aspirants not cleared across its Central, North, and West districts, including Muhammad Bashir Maru and Hassan Muhammad Gusau.
While the APC has yet to publicly detail the reasons for each disqualification, party sources indicate that issues ranging from documentation discrepancies to failure to meet eligibility criteria may have influenced the decisions.
The development is expected to trigger political realignments and possible appeals from affected aspirants as the party moves closer to finalizing its list of candidates.
