NYCN Faults Exclusion Of Tein Jack-Rich From APC Senatorial Primary

The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has raised concerns over what it described as unfair exclusion in the screening process for the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primaries in Rivers State, particularly the non-clearance of Engr. Tein T.S. Jack-Rich for the Rivers West Senatorial District contest.

In a statement signed by its President, Amb. Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, the apex youth body said its intervention was prompted by rising political tension and complaints of undemocratic practices within the party’s screening and clearance process.

The Council described the exclusion of Jack-Rich, a former APC presidential aspirant in the 2023 general elections, as “disturbing and unacceptable,” insisting that he remains a committed party member who has contributed significantly to the growth and electoral strength of the APC at various levels.

According to the NYCN, the development sends a wrong signal to long-standing party members who have invested time, resources, and credibility in building the party, warning that such actions could weaken internal cohesion and alienate grassroots supporters ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The youth body also criticised what it termed the “deliberate exclusion” of Jack-Rich in favour of a recently defected politician, describing the development as “manipulative, autocratic and undemocratic.”

It called on the APC leadership to urgently review the screening process and ensure adherence to transparent and merit-based criteria in line with the party’s constitutional provisions on fairness, equal opportunity, and recognition of loyalty and sacrifice.

Amb. Sukubo said the situation had generated widespread concern among youths, stakeholders, and political observers across Rivers State.

“This is unfortunate and unacceptable, a situation where a candidate who previously contested at the presidential primaries level would now be screened out of a senatorial race without clear and convincing justification,” he said.

He warned that denying aspirants fair participation could escalate political tensions and deepen divisions within the state, stressing that democracy must guarantee equal opportunity without intimidation or suppression.

The NYCN President further expressed concern that no aspirant of Ijaw extraction had been cleared across the three senatorial districts of Rivers State, a development he said could fuel perceptions of marginalisation if not properly addressed.

He noted that Engr. Jack-Rich has consistently contributed to youth empowerment, job creation, and community development initiatives, adding that such a profile should not be subjected to exclusion from democratic competition.

The Council urged the APC national leadership to investigate the screening process and ensure that all party structures involved act in accordance with constitutional guidelines.

It also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene by encouraging fairness, dialogue, and inclusivity within the party, stressing that such steps would help preserve unity and peace in Rivers State.

Reaffirming its position, the NYCN urged youths and supporters to remain calm and law-abiding while allowing party leadership and relevant institutions to resolve the matter through constitutional means.