Reduces number of disqualified aspirants from 47 to 44
…. Makes fresh changes to Bayelsa, Nasarawa, Kebbi and Jigawa entries
….Confusion trails updated screening list as party gives no explanation
By Sodiq Adelakun
The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday made a dramatic U-turn over its senatorial screening exercise, removing former Senator Ben Murray-Bruce and four other aspirants from the party’s list of disqualified contenders ahead of its Senate primaries.
The development followed the release of an updated screening list by the APC National Working Committee shortly after an earlier version had sparked widespread reactions within political circles.
The revised document, signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, reduced the number of aspirants barred from participating in the primaries from 47 to 44.
Although the APC did not officially explain the sudden changes, the updated list excluded the names of former Bayelsa East senator, Ben Murray-Bruce; Chimzobam Kingsley Nnalue of Anambra North; Gyang Yaya Zi San of Plateau North; Napoleon Binkap Bah of Plateau South; and Usman Ephraim Gar of Plateau Central.
Morka, while announcing the revised list, said the party remained committed to transparency and integrity throughout the primary election process.
“The All Progressives Congress hereby releases an updated list of Senatorial aspirants not cleared to participate in the Party’s Senate Primary Elections,” he stated.
“The APC urges all stakeholders to uphold transparency, orderliness, and the integrity of the ongoing Primary Election process.”
The updated document also reflected major alterations in the status of several aspirants across different states.
In Bayelsa, Benson Agadaga and Donald Daunemigita, who were initially listed among aspirants not cleared, were later reclassified as having voluntarily withdrawn from the race.
Similarly, Garba Musa Mai Doki from Kebbi South was marked as having defected from the party, while Adam Mouktar Mohammed of Jigawa South/West was listed as absent during the screening exercise.
The APC also added two fresh names to the revised document. Ibrahim Bala from Nasarawa West was newly listed as “not cleared,” while Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana from the same district was recorded as having voluntarily withdrawn from the contest.
The revised screening list still retained several notable aspirants across the country who were declared ineligible to participate in the primaries.
Among them are Daniel Effiong Asuquo from Cross River South; Marian Nnamaka Ogoh-Ali from Delta North; Usman J. Wowo and Abubakar Umar Abdullahi from the Federal Capital Territory; Kollo B. Jiya from Kwara North; and multiple aspirants from Nasarawa South, Oyo, Rivers, Zamfara and Adamawa states.
The development has generated fresh controversy within the ruling party, especially following the abrupt removal of Murray-Bruce’s name from the disqualification list without any official clarification regarding his screening status.
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Political observers believe the reversal may have followed internal consultations and pressure from influential stakeholders within the party.
The confusion surrounding the screening process comes amid heightened tensions ahead of the APC primaries, with several aspirants and party loyalists already expressing concerns over transparency and fairness in the selection process.
The Senate primaries are expected to shape the party’s strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections, as key political figures across the country continue consultations and realignments within the APC.
