The appeal panel established by the All Progressives Congress for aspirants contesting the Rivers State House of Assembly primaries has received 19 appeals from aggrieved contestants as the party moves to finalize its internal screening process ahead of the primaries.
Appeal Process Details
Chairman of the APC Appeal Panel for Rivers State House of Assembly aspirants, Abdul Mahmud, disclosed that the panel has so far received 19 appeals from aspirants dissatisfied with the outcome of the screening exercise conducted by the party. Mahmud stated that the appeal process commenced on Tuesday and will officially close on Wednesday, May 13, after which the panel will review and determine the petitions submitted by affected aspirants.
Screening Outcome Sparks Controversy
The development follows widespread reactions to the screening outcome released by the party on Sunday, which showed that only 33 aspirants were cleared to participate in the House of Assembly primaries, while 65 others were not cleared. The screening outcome sparked suspicions within the party, particularly after all 32 aspirants believed to be loyal to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara were reportedly disqualified from the race. In contrast, many of those cleared are said to be serving lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Political Divisions Deepen
The screening results have further underscored the deepening political divisions within the Rivers APC ahead of the 2026 elections, with supporters of the governor expressing dissatisfaction over what they described as a selective screening process. Meanwhile, the party has insisted that aggrieved aspirants should utilize the appeal mechanism provided by the APC to seek redress.
Official Statement
In a statement issued on Monday, the Rivers State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Chibuike Ikenga, advised all aspirants who purchased nomination forms for the House of Assembly elections to confirm their screening status at the notice board located at the party's state secretariat in Port Harcourt. Ikenga further explained that all appeals arising from the screening exercise must be formally submitted through the party secretariat within the stipulated timeframe.
The APC is expected to conclude the appeal process before proceeding with its House of Assembly primaries in Rivers State.
