The All Progressives Congress has dismissed a purported list circulating online which allegedly identified cleared and disqualified aspirants for the Rivers State House of Assembly elections ahead of the 2027 political season.

The party described the publication as false, unauthorized, and the handiwork of individuals attempting to create confusion within its ranks in Rivers State.

The controversy erupted after reports emerged claiming that the APC screening committee had concluded the screening of 98 aspirants and released a breakdown of those allegedly cleared and those disqualified from contesting.

According to the reports, 65 aspirants reportedly linked to Siminalayi Fubara were said to have been denied clearance, while 33 aspirants believed to be loyal to Nyesom Wike were allegedly cleared by the committee.

However, the APC swiftly rejected the reports in an official disclaimer signed by the committee secretary, Tanko Yamowa.

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In the statement released on Monday, the party insisted that no official list had been published following the conclusion of the screening exercise.

“The attention of the party leadership has been drawn to the circulation of a purported list of cleared and uncleared aspirants for the Rivers State House of Assembly currently making rounds across various media platforms,” the statement read.

“We wish to categorically state that the said publication is false, unauthorised, and does not emanate from the appropriate party authorities.”

The committee further clarified that the screening exercise chaired by Muraina Ajibola had only recently concluded and that due process must be followed before any official communication is released.

“It is important to note that the screening exercise conducted by the committee headed by Mauraina Ajibola was concluded less than 24 hours ago, and no official list has been released by the party at this time,” the statement added.

The APC emphasized that it remains committed to its established procedures, timelines, and internal regulations concerning the publication of screening results and other sensitive party matters.

According to the party, all official information regarding aspirants and screening outcomes would only be communicated through authorized channels.

“As a responsible political party, we are guided by established procedures, rules, and timelines regarding the publication of screening results and related information,” the statement continued.

“Any official communication concerning the status of aspirants will be communicated through the appropriate channels in due course.”

Political Rivalry Fuels Speculation

The controversy surrounding the alleged screening list has once again highlighted the deep political rivalry currently shaping Rivers politics, particularly between supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and loyalists of former governor Nyesom Wike.

The political tension between both camps has dominated political discourse in the state over the past year, with several observers closely monitoring developments within both the APC and the opposition structures.

Although the APC did not directly reference any political faction in its disclaimer, many party supporters interpreted the circulation of the alleged list as part of ongoing political maneuvering ahead of future elections.

The party therefore urged members, aspirants, supporters, and the general public to ignore the publication entirely.

“We therefore urge party faithful, aspirants, supporters, and the general public to disregard the purported list and treat it as the handiwork of mischief-makers whose intention is to create confusion and unnecessary tension within the party,” the statement concluded.

Political analysts believe the emergence of the fake list reflects growing anxiety among aspirants and supporters as political alignments continue to evolve in Rivers State ahead of the next electoral cycle.

Observers also warn that misinformation and unofficial reports could further heighten tensions if not properly addressed by party authorities and stakeholders.