The All Progressives Congress in Rivers State has successfully concluded the screening of 98 aspirants seeking to contest for State House of Assembly seats ahead of the party primaries, with party leaders describing the exercise as peaceful, transparent, and well-organised.
The screening exercise, which took place at the APC secretariat in Port Harcourt, involved aspirants from the 32 state constituencies across Rivers State.
Speaking after the exercise on Sunday, the Secretary of the Screening Committee, Tanko Yamowa, who represented the committee chairman, Mauriana Ajibola, expressed satisfaction with the smooth conduct of the process.
According to him, the committee had initially anticipated possible tensions or disruptions often associated with political screening exercises, but the entire process turned out to be calm and orderly.
He noted that the peaceful atmosphere throughout the exercise reflected growing unity within the Rivers APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
Yamowa explained that no aspirant was sidelined or unfairly treated during the screening, stressing that every contestant was given equal opportunity to participate in line with the party’s guidelines.
He further disclosed that the committee would carefully review all reports and submitted documents before announcing final decisions regarding the screening outcome.
The APC screening official also expressed optimism that the same level of peace and cooperation displayed during the exercise would continue during the party primaries and the general elections.
Also reacting to the exercise, the Rivers State APC Publicity Secretary, Chibuike Ikenga, described the screening process as seamless and successful.
He praised members of the committee for carrying out their duties professionally and diligently while maintaining order throughout the exercise.
Ikenga confirmed that 98 aspirants from the 32 state constituencies participated in the screening and stated that all contestants were subjected to proper screening procedures in accordance with the APC constitution, the Nigerian Constitution, and the Electoral Act.
The State Secretary of the party, Eric Nwibani, also commended the conduct of the exercise, noting that all aspirants were treated fairly and equally during the process.
He praised security agencies deployed to the venue for maintaining law and order and ensuring that the screening exercise was conducted without any disturbance.
Several aspirants who participated in the screening also expressed satisfaction with the process, describing it as transparent, credible, and professionally organised.
One of the aspirants for Etche Constituency I, Chinaordu Nwokocha, thanked the APC leadership for creating what he described as a conducive environment for aspirants.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC National Chairman, the National Working Committee, and other party leaders for ensuring a smooth and peaceful exercise.
Another aspirant, Matthew Tekena, praised the screening committee for its professionalism, noting that the process was straightforward and properly coordinated from start to finish.
Similarly, Andoni Constituency aspirant, Gogo Friday Isaiah, described the screening as transparent, clean, and successful, adding that the conduct of the exercise had strengthened confidence among party members ahead of the primaries.
