The All Progressives Congress has revised its earlier list of senatorial aspirants barred from participating in its Senate primaries, removing the names of former Senator Ben Murray-Bruce and four other aspirants.
The updated list, released on Monday and signed by APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, came shortly after the party published the initial version containing 47 disqualified aspirants.
Following the revision, the number of affected aspirants dropped to 44, although the party did not explain why the five names were removed.
In the statement accompanying the updated document, the APC urged party members and stakeholders to maintain transparency and orderliness throughout the primary election process.
Ben Murray-Bruce, who previously represented Bayelsa East in the Senate, was among the high-profile names initially listed as not cleared before his name disappeared from the revised version.
The party also removed the names of Chimzobam Kingsley Nnalue from Anambra North, Gyang Yaya Zi San from Plateau North, Napoleon Binkap Bah from Plateau South, and Usman Ephraim Gar from Plateau Central.
At the same time, two fresh names were added to the updated document.
Ibrahim Bala from Nasarawa West was listed as “not cleared,” while Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana, also from Nasarawa West, was recorded as having voluntarily withdrawn from the race.
The revised list also changed the status of several aspirants who were initially categorised as not cleared.
Benson Agadaga of Bayelsa East and Donald Daunemigita of Bayelsa West were reclassified as voluntary withdrawals.
Garba Musa Mai Doki from Kebbi South was marked as having defected from the party, while Adam Mouktar Mohammed from Jigawa South/West was listed as absent during the screening exercise.
Several aspirants from states including Oyo, Rivers, Zamfara, Nasarawa, Niger, Kwara and Cross River remained on the list of those not cleared to participate in the primaries.
Among notable names still affected are former Oyo governor’s son, Ajimobi Wasiu Adegboyega, ex-Minister Ipalibo Banigo, businessman Tein Jack-Rich, and Tamunobaabo Danagogo.
The APC has yet to provide detailed reasons for the clearance changes and updated classifications contained in the revised list.
