The All Progressives Congress in Delta State has been thrown into fresh turmoil after no fewer than 36 aspirants seeking tickets into the State House of Assembly were disqualified from participating in the party’s primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The sweeping disqualifications followed a two-day screening exercise conducted at the party’s secretariat in Asaba, where 82 aspirants appeared before the screening panel.
The 36 disqualified aspirants account for about 44 percent of all those who purchased nomination forms to contest for the 25 assembly seats in the state legislature.
In a statement signed by the screening committee chairman, Uche Uzochukwu, and secretary, Chiedozie Nwafor, the panel disclosed that only 46 aspirants were cleared to proceed to the primaries.
The committee said those disqualified were found wanting over what it described as serious breaches of party and electoral guidelines.
Among those cleared was the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Dennis Guwor, who emerged as the sole approved aspirant for Warri South-West constituency.
Also cleared were 17 serving lawmakers of the eighth Assembly seeking re-election, alongside former commissioners including Funyei Manager, Harry Trakirlowei and Orode Uduaghan.
According to the panel, several aspirants were disqualified over alleged attempts to induce or bribe members of the screening committee.
Others reportedly failed to provide mandatory documents such as valid Permanent Voter Cards, sworn affidavits and authentic APC membership slips.
The committee also cited inconsistencies in submitted documents, including discrepancies in names and dates of birth.
Some aspirants were reportedly unable to confirm payment of party dues, while others submitted nomination forms with irregular membership numbers and inadequate ward nominators.
The panel further raised concerns over alleged violations of zoning arrangements in some constituencies, warning that any disregard for established political understandings could affect the party’s electoral prospects in 2027.
Additional disqualifications were linked to the failure of some aspirants to resign from political appointments as required by the Electoral Act.
Others were accused of submitting multiple affidavits that failed to properly disclose details relating to their academic records and certificates.
Defending the exercise, the committee insisted that the screening process was transparent and strictly guided by the APC constitution as well as relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
“The committee carried out its responsibilities with fairness, diligence, and utmost commitment to the integrity of the party.
“We ensured that only aspirants who met the constitutional and procedural requirements of the APC were cleared to proceed,” the statement read.
The panel, however, urged disqualified aspirants not to regard the outcome as final, noting that those dissatisfied with the decision could seek redress before the APC Screening Appeal Committee.
The development is expected to trigger intense political reactions within Delta APC as the party moves closer to its primaries.
What You Should Know
The disqualification of 36 assembly aspirants represents one of the largest internal screening shakeups within Delta APC in recent years.
Such large-scale exclusions often signal deeper political realignments, power struggles and enforcement of internal party discipline ahead of elections. While the APC says the action was based on procedural and constitutional compliance, political analysts believe zoning disputes and local factional interests may also be factors.
The appeal process now becomes crucial, as its outcome could either restore calm or deepen internal divisions ahead of the 2027 general elections in Delta State.
