…Banigo, Tammy Danagogo, Tein Jack-Rich Among Major Names Disqualified
Fresh political drama has unfolded within the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State following the disqualification of several prominent loyalists of Governor Siminalayi Fubara from participating in the party’s senatorial primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a development, the APC screening committee failed notable political figures including Ipalibo Banigo, former Secretary to the Rivers State Government Tammy Danagogo, and businessman Tein Jack-Rich.
The Rivers APC Publicity Secretary, Chibike Ikenga, confirmed the development in an official statement issued on Sunday, disclosing that the affected aspirants failed to meet the party’s screening requirements.
Political observers described the outcome as a major setback for Governor Fubara’s political camp, especially as the disqualifications came at a critical period of strategic positioning ahead of the 2027 elections.
In another surprising twist, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, was also screened out of the process.
Despite the high-profile disqualifications, the APC cleared prominent and popular names like Bro. Felix Obuah for Rivers West Senatorial District, while Allwell Onyesoh and Barry Mwara secured clearance for Rivers South-East Senatorial District.
Meanwhile, the party concluded its House of Representatives primaries across the 13 federal constituencies in the state, producing several notable winners.
Chairman of the APC Reps Primary Committee, Wahab Owokoniran, announced the results at the party secretariat along Aba Road in Port Harcourt.
Incumbent lawmaker Dumnamene Robinson Deekor emerged victorious in the Gokana/Khana Federal Constituency primary after polling 17,073 votes to defeat Israel Lebura Ngbuelo.
Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, also clinched the APC ticket for Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency.
Other winners announced by the party include Precious Igwe for Port Harcourt Federal Constituency I, Blessing Amadi for Port Harcourt II, Hart Cyril Godwin for Bonny/Degema, Felix Uche Nwaeke for Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo, Isobo Solomon for Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru, Linda Somiari-Steward for Okrika/Ogu/Bolo, Solomon Bob for Obua/Odual/Ahoada-East, Victor Obuzor for Ahoada-West/Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni, Frederick Apiafi for Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro, Ozuzum Nwamaka for Etche/Omuma, and Onyeozu Joy Nyebuchi for Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency.
Speaking after the exercise, Owokoniran described the primaries as peaceful, orderly, and free from violence despite public concerns surrounding Rivers State politics.
“We did not experience any rancour or violence. Contrary to the impression that Rivers State is always violent, the process was peaceful and orderly,” he stated.
The APC leadership also urged aggrieved aspirants to remain loyal to the party, assuring members that reconciliation mechanisms would be activated to strengthen unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Political analysts say the latest screening outcome may significantly reshape alliances, calculations, and power blocs within Rivers APC as the battle for control of the party structure intensifies ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Dez Mayorz Report.