Upset In APC Reps Primaries As Rivers, Ondo Govs’ Allies Are Axed

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has disqualified 14 House of Representatives aspirants, including Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Hon. Iduma Igariwey, and allies of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, ahead of Saturday’s nationwide primary election.

APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, saying the screening exercise was conducted in line with the party’s established procedures and guidelines.

The party, however, did not state reasons for the disqualification of the aspirants.

“The All Progressives Congress (APC) hereby releases the list of House of Representatives aspirants who participated in the screening exercise but were not cleared to participate in the House of Representatives Primary Election.

“The screening exercise was conducted by the Party’s Screening Committees in line with established procedures and guidelines,” the statement read.

Among those disqualified are the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Hon. Iduma Igariwey (Ebonyi); Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante; and Hon. Boma Goodhead, both from Rivers State.

Others affected are Hon. Adefisoye Tajudeen, Olusegun Victor Ategbole, Seun Oluwashina Ajongbolo, Hon. Arowole Ayodeji Samuel (Owo/Ose), Morufu Tosin Ibrahim, Oseni Oyeniyi and Hon. Olaleye John Adedipe, all from Ondo State.

Also not cleared are Air Commodore John Azubuike Opara (Rtd), Hon. Anderson Allison Igbiki (Rivers), Dr Bashir Ibrahim Bello (Bauchi) and Sanni Salau Ogembe (Kogi).

Igariwey, who represents Afikpo North/Afikpo South Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State, recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.

The lawmaker had emerged as the PDP governorship candidate in 2022 after a Federal High Court in Abuja removed Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi and his deputy, Dr Eric Kelechi Igwe, following their defection from the PDP to the APC.

Similarly, Abiante, who represents Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency, and Goodhead, representing Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru Federal Constituency, are known allies of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The lawmakers defected to the APC alongside Fubara amid the lingering political crisis between the governor and his predecessor, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The rift between both camps has continued to fuel political tension in Rivers State, with supporters of both leaders battling for control of the state’s political structure.