By Ayo Kehinde
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has cleared the path for its Senatorial primaries for the 2027 general elections, after disqualifying 47 aspirants nationwide in a sweeping screening exercise that affected several prominent politicians across multiple states.
The party announced the development on Monday, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, following the completion of the screening exercise conducted by its designated committees.
According to the APC, the screening was carried out in line with the party’s established procedures and guidelines, although it did not disclose the specific reasons behind the disqualification of the affected aspirants.
Among the high-profile politicians affected is former Bayelsa East senator, Ben Murray-Bruce, whose senatorial ambition suffered a setback after he failed to secure clearance to contest in the primaries. Also disqualified from the Bayelsa East race was former senator, Benson S. Agadaga.
The exercise also affected several prominent political figures across Rivers, Oyo, Zamfara, Plateau, Nasarawa and other states, in what political observers described as one of the most sweeping screening outcomes ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.
Rivers West Senatorial District recorded the highest number of disqualified aspirants from a single district, with four notable contenders barred from the race. Those affected include Oyukaye Flag Amachree, Chief (Dr) Tamunobaabo Wemike Danagogo, businessman Jack-Rich Tein T.S., and Banigo Ipalibo.
Zamfara State followed closely with seven aspirants across the Central, North and West Senatorial Districts, failing to secure clearance from the party.
The affected aspirants are spread across 17 states and the Federal Capital Territory, underscoring the nationwide scale of the exercise.
The full list released by the APC includes Hon. Hamish Idris and Hon. Abdurman Kwacham from Adamawa North Senatorial District; Chimzobam Kingsley Nnalue from Anambra North; Donald Daunemigita from Bayelsa West; Senators Ben Murray-Bruce and Benson S. Agadaga from Bayelsa East; Daniel Effiong Asuquo from Cross River South; Oden Ibiang O. Ewa from Cross River Central; Dr. Marian Nnamaka Ogoh-Ali from Delta North; Senator Usman J. Wowo and Abubakar Umar Abdullahi from the FCT; Adam Mouktar Mohammed from Jigawa South/West; Senator Garba Musa Mai Doki from Kebbi South; Kollo B. Jiya from Kwara North; Amb. Olutola John Onijala, Awolola Muritala and Adeleke Emmanuel Gbenga from Kwara South.
Others are Abdullahi Tanko Zubairu from Nasarawa North; Usman Muhammed Elegu, Alhaji Dr Yusuf Moh’d Agabi and Ari Ali Muhammed from Nasarawa South; Muhammed Rabiu Sadiq, Hon. Muhammed Bello A. and Bello Bawa Bwari from Niger South; Ademola Wasiu Alli, Faozey Oladotun Nurudeen and Hon. Hameed Afeez Repete from Oyo Central; Ajimobi Wasiu Adegboyega from Oyo North; Mr Kolapoboye Kola Daisi and Amb. Pst. Akinremi Alade Bolaji from Oyo South.
Also affected are Bello Abdullahi Bodejo from Taraba Central; Gyang Yaya Zi San from Plateau North; Napoleon Binkap Bah from Plateau South; Usman Ephraim Gar from Plateau Central; Oyukaye Flag Amachree, Chief Dr Tamunobaabo Wemike Danagogo, Jack-Rich Tein T.S and Banigo Ipalibo from Rivers West; Chief Barry Balera Mwara from Rivers South/East; Hon. Hassan H. Kafayos from Yobe North; Sanusi Ibrahim Garachi, Aliyu Abubakar, Muhammad Bashir Maru and Hassan Muhammad Gusau from Zamfara Central; Abubakar H. Moriiki and Bilyaminu Yusuf from Zamfara North; and Isyaka Ajiya Anka from Zamfara West Senatorial District.
