“It’s Fake”: Rivers APC Reacts to Viral List of Cleared, Disqualified Assembly Aspirants

The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed as false a viral list circulating online which claims to show aspirants cleared and disqualified for the party’s House of Assembly primaries ahead of the 2027 elections.

The list, which gained traction across social media platforms and several news outlets over the weekend, allegedly identified aspirants loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and associates of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who were said to have passed the screening process.

But in a statement issued on Sunday, the secretary of the screening committee, Hon. Tanko Yamowa, said the publication did not originate from the party and should be disregarded.

“The attention of the party leadership has been drawn to the circulation of a purported list of cleared and uncleared aspirants for the Rivers State House of Assembly currently making rounds across various media platforms,” the statement read.

“We wish to categorically state that the said publication is false, unauthorized, and does not emanate from the appropriate party authorities.”

According to the committee, the screening exercise chaired by Mauriana Ajibola was concluded less than 24 hours before the list surfaced online, making it impossible for any official result to have been released.

“It is important to note that the screening exercise conducted by the committee headed by Mauriana Ajibola was concluded less than 24 hours ago, and no official list has been released by the party at this time,” Yamowa stated.

The committee said any verified information regarding the status of aspirants would be communicated through official party channels in line with established procedures.

The statement further accused unnamed individuals of attempting to create tension within the party through the circulation of unverified information.

“We therefore urge party faithful, aspirants, supporters, and the general public to disregard the purported list and treat it as the handiwork of mischief makers whose intention is to create confusion and unnecessary tension within the party,” the statement added.

The APC also reaffirmed its commitment to “transparency, fairness, and due process” throughout the screening and primary election process

The disclaimer follows widespread reports claiming that 32 aspirants believed to be loyal to Governor Fubara had been disqualified by the APC screening committee for the Rivers State House of Assembly primaries.

The reports also suggested that aspirants aligned with Wike, including some lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, participated in the exercise.