The controversy followed the release of a report by the APC screening committee, chaired by Ajibola Muraina, after a two-day exercise held in Port Harcourt over the weekend.

According to the report, 98 aspirants appeared before the committee, but only 33 were cleared for the party primaries, while 65 others were disqualified.

Among those cleared were 28 serving members of the Rivers State House of Assembly believed to be loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and led by Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol.

Speaker Martin Amaewhule, who is seeking a seat in the House of Representatives, had reportedly completed his screening separately at the APC national secretariat.

The report indicated that several aspirants considered to be aligned with Governor Fubara were among those disqualified, including former factional Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo, Sokari Goodboy, Timothy Orubibanugha, and Chijioke Ihunwo.

The committee maintained that the screening was peaceful and conducted in accordance with party guidelines, noting that aspirants submitted documents while petitions against some contestants were also reviewed.

It also alleged that Victor Oko-Jumbo caused disruption at the venue after insisting on entering with security aides before police intervention restored calm.

In another allegation, the committee accused Asari Toru 1 aspirant Tonye Garrick Tom-George of attempting to influence the process with cash, claiming he presented an envelope containing money and his passport photograph to committee members. The matter was reportedly referred to the police.

Reasons cited for disqualification included missing voter cards, discrepancies in party membership records, conflicting dates of birth, incomplete documents, unpaid dues by nominators, and inconsistencies in names and affidavits.

However, confusion emerged shortly after the report circulated when the committee’s secretary, Tanko Yamowa, publicly distanced himself from it.

In a disclaimer dated May 11, Yamowa described the report as false and unauthorized, insisting that the committee had only recently concluded its assignment and that no official screening list had yet been released.

He urged party members and the public to disregard the circulating document, stating that any authentic communication would come through official APC channels.

Meanwhile, Tonye Tom-George denied the bribery allegation, insisting he never attempted to influence the screening process and challenging the committee to provide evidence. He also said his legal team would formally address the accusation.

Several affected aspirants also criticised the outcome.

Gogo-Ogute Isaiah, an aspirant for the Andoni constituency seat, said he met all party requirements, paid the necessary dues, submitted his documents, and attended the screening, yet only discovered his disqualification online without official explanation.

Another aspirant, who spoke anonymously, questioned why all aspirants linked to Wike were cleared while others were disqualified, arguing that minor issues such as typographical errors should not have resulted in outright exclusion.

He further suggested that the speed with which the report emerged raised concerns that the process may have been predetermined.

Solomon Lenu, another disqualified aspirant, also faulted the exercise, insisting he fulfilled all APC requirements and warning that the controversy could deepen internal divisions within the party ahead of the 2027 elections.