APC Disqualifies Ben Murray-Bruce, 46 Others From Senate Primaries

The All Progressives Congress has disqualified 47 aspirants from taking part in its senatorial primary elections ahead of the 2027 general elections. The party released the list on Monday through a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, after the completion of its screening exercise across the country.

Among those affected is former Bayelsa East senator, Ben Murray-Bruce, whose name appeared alongside Benson Agadaga from the same district. The APC, however, did not explain why the aspirants failed to scale through the screening process.

The screening exercise was carried out by committees set up by the party to examine the qualifications and documents of aspirants seeking senatorial tickets in different states. The exercise covered all the senatorial districts where aspirants had submitted forms to contest under the APC platform.

Rivers State recorded one of the highest numbers of disqualified aspirants. Four hopefuls from Rivers West Senatorial District failed to secure clearance. They include Oyukaye Flag Amachree, Tamunobaabo Wemike Danagogo, Jack-Rich Tein and Banigo Ipalibo. Another aspirant from Rivers South-East, Barry Balera Mwara, also did not make the final list.

Zamfara State also had several affected aspirants spread across the Central, North and West senatorial districts. Names released by the party from the state include Sanusi Ibrahim Garachi, Aliyu Abubakar, Muhammad Bashir Maru, Hassan Muhammad Gusau, Abubakar Moriiki, Bilyaminu Yusuf and Isyaka Ajiya Anka.

Other states with disqualified aspirants include Adamawa, Anambra, Cross River, Delta, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Oyo, Plateau, Taraba and Yobe. In Oyo State, some of the affected aspirants are Ademola Wasiu Alli, Ajimobi Wasiu Adegboyega and Kolapoboye Kola Daisi.

The APC stated that the screening was conducted in line with the party’s rules and procedures for the 2027 elections. Despite the release of the names, the party did not state whether the affected aspirants would be allowed to appeal the decision before the primaries begin.

The development has already created reactions in some states, especially among supporters of aspirants who were expecting to participate in the Senate primaries. The APC is preparing for nationwide primary elections as political parties continue consultations and internal processes ahead of the next general elections.