The All Progressives Congress (APC) State House of Assembly Screening Committee in Rivers State has screened a total of 98 aspirants seeking to contest the party’s primaries for the State House of Assembly seats across the 32 constituencies in the state.
Speaking after the screening exercise at the party secretariat in Port Harcourt on Sunday, the secretary of the committee, Tanko Yamowa, who represented the chairman, Mauriana Ajibola, described the exercise as peaceful and successful, expressing satisfaction with the orderly conduct of the aspirants.
According to him, the committee had anticipated possible challenges during the exercise but was pleased that the screening was conducted without any form of disruption.
“We thought we might face some challenges, but since yesterday, nobody has come here to cause any trouble. That shows that the APC is one united family. We are hopeful that what we have seen here will also be reflected during the primaries and the general elections,” he said.
Yamowa stated that no aspirant was discriminated against during the screening process, adding that the committee would review its reports before making final decisions on the outcome of the exercise.
Also speaking, the publicity secretary of the party in Rivers State, Chibuike Ikenga, described the screening exercise as seamless and peaceful.
“We have been around here, and there have been no challenges. The committee has been diligent in carrying out its responsibilities. A total of 98 aspirants seeking to contest for the House of Assembly seats across the 32 constituencies in the state have been screened,” he said.
Ikenga noted that all aspirants were subjected to the party’s screening procedures in line with the constitution of the party, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Electoral Act as amended.
The State Secretary of the party, Eric Nwibani, also hailed the exercise as peaceful and successful, noting that all aspirants were given equal opportunities during the screening. He further commended security operatives deployed to the venue for ensuring a peaceful atmosphere throughout the exercise.
Some of the aspirants who spoke after the screening also commended the process, describing it as transparent and well-organised.
An aspirant for Etche Constituency I, Chinaordu Nwokocha, thanked the party leadership for what he described as one of the best screening exercises conducted in the state.
“I want to thank God for the successful screening exercise. I also appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Chairman, the National Working Committee, and the leadership of the APC for providing a conducive atmosphere for the screening,” he said.
Another aspirant, Matthew Tekena, commended the screening committee for its professionalism, describing the process as seamless and successful.
Similarly, Gogo Friday Isaiah, an aspirant seeking to represent Andoni Constituency, described the screening as clean, transparent, and successful
