The ruling All Progressives Congress has published the names of 47 senatorial aspirants disqualified from participating in its Senate primary elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement released on Monday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, explained that the affected aspirants failed to scale through the screening exercise conducted by the party’s screening committees.
According to the APC, the screening process was carried out in line with the party’s laid-down rules and procedures.
Among the notable figures denied clearance were former senator and media entrepreneur Ben Murray-Bruce, former Rivers State Deputy Governor Ipalibo Harry Banigo, and Wasiu Adegboyega Ajimobi, brother of late former Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
Several former lawmakers, party leaders and political appointees from states including Adamawa, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara were also affected.
In Bayelsa State, both Murray-Bruce and Senator Benson Agadaga were screened out of the Bayelsa East senatorial contest, while Donald Daunemigita was denied clearance for Bayelsa West.
The Rivers West senatorial race witnessed major changes as former Rivers State Head of Service, Chief Tamunobaabo Danagogo, former presidential aspirant Tein Jack-Rich, and Banigo were all declared ineligible to contest.
In Oyo State, aspirants such as Kolapoboye Daisi, Wasiu Adegboyega Ajimobi and Hameed Afeez Repete also failed to secure clearance from the party.
Similarly, Hamish Idris and Abdurman Kwacham were screened out of the Adamawa North senatorial race, while Chimzobam Kingsley Nnalue was disqualified from contesting in Anambra North.
For Cross River State, Daniel Effiong Asuquo did not make the list for Cross River South, while Oden Ibiang O. Ewa was denied clearance for Cross River Central.
Other aspirants disqualified include Marian Nnamaka Ogoh-Ali for Delta North, Senator Usman J. Wowo and Abubakar Umar Abdullahi for the Federal Capital Territory, as well as several others from Jigawa, Kebbi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara states.
Despite the announcement, the APC did not disclose the specific reasons why the aspirants were disqualified.
The development comes amid growing internal disagreements and political tensions within the ruling party as contenders struggle for tickets ahead of the 2027 elections.
The APC recently began its nationwide screening of aspirants seeking governorship, Senate and House of Representatives tickets under the party platform.
Party leaders have maintained that the screening exercise is intended to ensure that only aspirants who satisfy constitutional, electoral and internal party requirements are allowed to participate in the primaries.
In past election cycles, the APC’s primaries have been dogged by accusations of candidate imposition, selective disqualification, manipulation and legal disputes that eventually led to prolonged court battles in several states.