Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress has revised its senatorial screening list, removing five names — including former senator Ben Murray-Bruce — from an earlier roll of aspirants barred from contesting its primaries.
The updated list, released by National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, reduced the number of affected aspirants from 47 to 44, with no official explanation for the sudden changes. “The APC hereby releases an updated list of Senatorial aspirants not cleared to participate in the Party’s Senate Primary Elections,” he said, urging stakeholders to uphold transparency and orderliness.
Murray-Bruce, who represented Bayelsa East in the Senate, had been among the most prominent names initially disqualified. His removal — alongside four others from Anambra and Plateau states — has raised questions about the party’s screening process, as their current status was not clarified.
The revised document also introduced new updates, including the addition of Ibrahim Bala (Nasarawa West) as “not cleared” and the classification of Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana as having voluntarily withdrawn. Other aspirants were reclassified under categories such as withdrawal, defection and failure to appear for screening.
APC Updated Senatorial Screening List
Voluntary Withdrawal:
Benson S. Agadaga — Bayelsa East
Donald Daunemigita — Bayelsa West
Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana — Nasarawa West
Did Not Appear for Screening:
Adam Mouktar Mohammed — Jigawa South West
Defected:
Garba Musa Mai Doki — Kebbi South
Not Cleared:
Daniel Effiong Asuquo — Cross River South
Oden Ibiang O. Ewa — Cross River Central
Marian Nnamaka Ogoh-Ali — Delta North
Usman J. Wowo — FCT
Abubakar Umar Abdullahi — FCT
Kollo B. Jiya — Kwara North
Olutola John Onijala — Kwara South
Awolola Muritala — Kwara South
Adeleke Emmanuel Gbenga — Kwara South
Abdullahi Tanko Zubairu — Nasarawa South
Usman Muhammed Elegu — Nasarawa South
Yusuf Moh’d Agabi — Nasarawa South
Ari Ali Muhammed — Nasarawa South
Muhammed Rabiu Sadiq — Niger South
Muhammed Bello A. — Niger South
Bello Bawa Bwari — Niger East
Ademola Wasiu Alli — Oyo Central
Ajimobi Wasiu Adegboyega — Oyo North
Kolapoboye Kola Daisi — Oyo South
Faozey Oladotun Nurudeen — Oyo Central
Hameed Afeez Repete — Oyo Central
Akinremi Alade Bolaji — Oyo South
Bello Abdullahi Bodejo — Taraba Central
Oyukaye Flag Amachree — Rivers West
Tamunobaabo Wemike Danagogo — Rivers West
Jack-Rich Tein T.S — Rivers West
Banigo Ipalibo — Rivers West
Barry Balera Mwara — Rivers South East
Hassan H. Kafayos — Yobe North
Sanusi Ibrahim Garachi — Zamfara Central
Aliyu Abubakar — Zamfara Central
Muhammad Bashir Maru — Zamfara Central
Hassan Muhammad Gusau — Zamfara Central
Abubakar H. Moriiki — Zamfara North
Bilyaminu Yusuf — Zamfara North
Isyaka Ajiya Anka — Zamfara West
Ibrahim Bala — Nasarawa West
Hamish Idris — Adamawa North
Abdurman Kwacham — Adamawa North
The latest adjustments highlight ongoing shifts within the party’s primary process ahead of the 2027 elections, with observers noting that the unexplained revisions could raise fresh concerns over transparency and internal party dynamics.
