The All Progressives Congress (APC) has completed a two‑day screening of 98 aspirants vying for the party’s tickets to the Rivers State House of Assembly ahead of the 2027 general elections. The exercise, organised by the APC Rivers State Assembly Screening Committee, took place on Saturday and Sunday in Port Harcourt and concluded without incident, officials said.
Tanko Yamowa, secretary of the screening committee, told reporters that the process was “peaceful and well‑organised,” adding that the conduct of the applicants exceeded the committee’s expectations. “The aspirants and the people of Rivers behaved in a very good manner,” Yamowa said. “We were prepared for possible challenges, but over the two days no one caused any trouble. It shows that the APC is one family in Rivers State.”
The screening, a prerequisite for party nomination, involved a verification of each candidate’s eligibility and an assessment of their commitment to the party’s agenda. Committee members examined documentation, interviewed aspirants and evaluated their understanding of the legislative responsibilities they would assume if elected. According to the committee, all 98 applicants satisfied the technical criteria and were cleared to proceed to the next stage of the party’s candidate selection process.
Observers noted that the smooth operation of the screening reflects a broader trend of internal cohesion within the APC’s Rivers State structure. The party has been working to present a united front after a series of intra‑party disputes in previous election cycles. By allowing the aspirants to demonstrate their readiness in a controlled environment, the committee aims to minimise factionalism and present a slate of candidates who can compete effectively against rivals from the Peoples Democratic Party and other opposition groups in the 2027 polls.
Local political analysts view the successful screening as a positive signal for the APC’s electoral prospects in the oil‑rich state. “A disciplined screening exercise is an early indicator that the party is serious about consolidating its grassroots support,” said Dr Adaeze Obi of the Lagos Centre for Electoral Studies. “If the party can maintain this level of organisation through the primaries and the general campaign, it could translate into a stronger performance at the ballot box.”
The committee’s next step is to convene a primary election in which the screened aspirants will vie for the official party tickets. The timeline for the primaries has not yet been disclosed, but party officials have hinted that they aim to complete the process well before the national election calendar is finalised later this year.
For now, the APC in Rivers State can point to a conflict‑free screening as a foundation for building a cohesive campaign platform. As the 2027 general elections draw nearer, the party’s ability to sustain this unity will be a key factor in its competition for legislative seats across the state.
