By Jude Opara
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has disqualified serving senator Ipalibo Banigo from participating in the party’s senatorial primary election ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Banigo, who currently represents Rivers West Senatorial District in the Senate, served as deputy governor of Rivers State between 2015 and 2023 under the administration of Nyesom Wike before winning election into the National Assembly in 2023.
The Rivers APC Screening Committee also disqualified three other aspirants, including Tein Jackrich, Ojukaye Flag Amachree and Wenike Danagogo.
The list of cleared and disqualified aspirants was released in Port Harcourt by the APC State Publicity Secretary, Chubike Ikenga.
Ikenga urged aspirants and party members to comply with the outcome of the screening exercise, stating that the publication was intended to guide party stakeholders ahead of the primaries.
However, the party did not immediately disclose the specific reasons behind the disqualification of Banigo and the other affected aspirants.
The development is expected to further heighten political tensions within the Rivers APC as preparations intensify for the party’s primary elections.
