APC Screening Committee Clears Delta Speaker, 45 Others, Disqualifies 36

All Progressives Congress (APC) Delta State Assembly Screening Committee has cleared the chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Dennis Guwor, and 45 other aspirants to participate in the party’s forthcoming Assembly primary election.

The decision, according to the committee, followed a two-day exercise conducted at the APC State Secretariat in Asaba, where the aspirants seeking the party’s ticket for various constituencies were assessed in line with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.

According to the official publication on the screening outcome, signed by the committee chairman, Dr. Uche Uzochukwu, and secretary, Dr Chiedozie Nwafor, 82 aspirants appeared before the panel for the exercise ahead of the primary election.

Out of the number, 46 aspirants were successfully cleared after what the committee described as a “meticulous scrutiny” of credentials and eligibility requirements, while 36 others were disqualified over various infractions and irregularities.

Aside from the Guwor, who was the only cleared aspirant for Warri South-West Constituency, 16 other sitting members of the 8th Delta Assembly seeking reelection were cleared for the APC primary election.

Three members of the Delta State Executive Council—Funyei Manager, Bomadi; Harry Trakirlowei, Patani; and Orode Uduaghan, Warri North, who resigned from their positions as Commissioners, also made it to the next stage of the electoral process.

The committee listed the reasons for the disqualification of the 36 aspirants to include inducement and attempted bribery of committee members, submission of unsworn affidavits, failure to present Permanent Voter Cards, and inability to provide valid party membership slips.

Other grounds cited were conflicting dates of birth, inconsistencies in names appearing on official documents, failure of nominators to confirm payment of party dues, irregular membership numbers of nominators, and insufficient nominators from wards as required by party guidelines.

The panel also faulted some aspirants for alleged non-compliance with existing zoning arrangements in their constituencies, noting that such actions could jeopardize the electoral fortunes of the party during the general elections.

Additionally, it explained that some aspirants were disqualified for failure to resign from political appointments in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, as well as for submitting invalid or multiple affidavits that failed to properly disclose material facts relating to their certificates and personal records.

The Committee maintained that the screening process was transparent, credible, and strictly guided by the APC constitution, electoral guidelines, and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.

“The committee carried out its responsibilities with fairness, diligence, and utmost commitment to the integrity of the party,” the statement read.

“We ensured that only aspirants who met the constitutional and procedural requirements of the APC were cleared to proceed to the primary election stage.”

The committee further stressed that the exercise was aimed at strengthening internal democracy within the party and ensuring that credible candidates emerge to fly the APC flag in the 2027 general elections.

While congratulating the cleared aspirants, the panel advised those disqualified not to view the outcome as final, noting that the party’s appeal mechanism remains open to address grievances.

“All aspirants and stakeholders are hereby notified of the outcome of the screening exercise. Any aspirant dissatisfied with the decision of the screening committee is at liberty to seek redress before the Screening Appeal Committee in line with party procedures,” the statement added.

The clearance of Guwor and other frontline aspirants may intensify political activities across constituencies ahead of the APC primaries, as party members prepare for what is expected to be a keenly contested process in Delta State.