The All Progressives Congress (APC) has disqualified former Deputy Governor of Rivers State and serving senator, Ipalibo Harry Banigo, from contesting the party's senatorial primary election for re-election into the Senate. The decision was announced in a statement released by the party on Sunday.
Other Disqualified Aspirants
Alongside Banigo, other aspirants disqualified from participating in Monday's primary election include Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, Dr Tamunobaabo Danagogo, a former Secretary to the Rivers State Government, and businessman Tein Jack-Rich. All four aspirants are from the Rivers West Senatorial District.
Cleared Aspirants
However, close allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, were cleared to contest the primaries. These include Felix Obuah (Rivers West), Allwell Onyeaso (Rivers South-East), Osaro Onaiwu, and Barry Mbara.
Alleged Reasons for Disqualification
Although the party did not provide reasons for the disqualifications, political observers allege that the action may be linked to perceived disloyalty to the FCT minister. A House of Assembly aspirant in the APC, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed that Banigo's disqualification may be due to her neutral stance during the political crisis between Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
According to the source, Fubara, who hails from Rivers West Senatorial District, was allegedly not openly supported by Banigo during the crisis. “Though she served as Wike's deputy for eight years and later became senator through his support, she did not approve of the manner Governor Fubara was allegedly treated,” the source claimed.
The source added that Danagogo may have suffered a similar fate for failing to publicly align with Wike during the political crisis. “He served as Secretary to the State Government under both Wike and Fubara, but was not visibly supportive of Wike during the crisis period,” the source alleged.
Reactions and Warnings
Reacting to the development, human rights activist Solomon Lenu warned that the disqualifications could trigger an internal crisis within the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections. Lenu said the treatment of some founding members and loyalists of the party could lead to deep divisions within the APC.
“Some of those disqualified may remain in the party and work against its interests during the elections,” he said. He further argued that denying aspirants the opportunity to test their popularity at the polls undermines democratic principles. “Everybody should be allowed to test his or her popularity through a transparent process,” he added.
