Senatorial primary elections: APC makes U-turn, clears Ben Murray-Bruce, four others

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reversed its earlier decision barring former Senator Ben Murray-Bruce and four other aspirants from participating in the party’s senatorial primaries after releasing an updated clearance list on Monday.

The revised list, issued shortly after the first version, was signed by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka.

The update reduced the number of aspirants affected from 47 to 44, although the party did not explain why some names were removed from the earlier document.

Morka said, “The All Progressives Congress (APC) hereby releases an updated list of Senatorial aspirants not cleared to participate in the Party’s Senate Primary Elections.

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“The APC urges all stakeholders to uphold transparency, orderliness, and the integrity of the ongoing Primary Election process.”

Murray-Bruce, a former lawmaker who represented Bayelsa East in the Senate, had appeared on the initial list of aspirants not cleared for the primaries.

However, his name was removed from the updated version without any official clarification from the ruling party.

Four other aspirants also removed from the earlier list are Chimzobam Kingsley Nnalue for Anambra North, Gyang Yaya Zi San for Plateau North, Napoleon Binkap Bah for Plateau South, and Usman Ephraim Gar for Plateau Central.

The APC also added two fresh names to the updated document.

Ibrahim Bala from Nasarawa West was listed among aspirants not cleared, while Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana from the same district was recorded as having voluntarily withdrawn from the race.

The party equally adjusted the status of some aspirants earlier marked as “not cleared.”

Benson Agadaga of Bayelsa East and Donald Daunemigita of Bayelsa West were reclassified as voluntary withdrawals.

Garba Musa Mai Doki of Kebbi South was listed as having defected from the party, while Adam Mouktar Mohammed of Jigawa South/West was marked as absent during screening.

The updated list released by the APC contains the names of aspirants from several states and senatorial districts who were either not cleared, withdrew voluntarily, defected, or failed to appear for screening.

Here is the updated full list:

Benson S. Agadaga — Bayelsa East — Voluntary Withdrawal

Daniel Effiong Asuquo — Cross River South — Not Cleared

Oden Ibiang O Ewa — Cross River Central — Not Cleared

Marian Nnamaka Ogoh-Ali — Delta North — Not Cleared

Usman J. Wowo — FCT — Not Cleared

Abubakar Umar Abdullahi — FCT — Not Cleared

Adam Mouktar Mohammed — Jigawa South West — Did Not Appear for Screening

Garba Musa Mai Doki — Kebbi South — Defected

Kollo B. Jiya — Kwara North — Not Cleared

Olutola John Onijala — Kwara South — Not Cleared

Awolola Muritala — Kwara South — Not Cleared

Adeleke Emmanuel Gbenga — Kwara South — Not Cleared

Abdullahi Tanko Zubairu — Nasarawa South — Not Cleared

Usman Muhammed Elegu — Nasarawa South — Not Cleared

Yusuf Moh’d Agabi — Nasarawa South — Not Cleared

Ari Ali Muhammed — Nasarawa South — Not Cleared

Muhammed Rabiu Sadiq — Niger South — Not Cleared

Muhammed Bello A. — Niger South — Not Cleared

Bello Bawa Bwari — Niger East — Not Cleared

Ademola Wasiu Alli — Oyo Central — Not Cleared

Ajimobi Wasiu Adegboyega — Oyo North — Not Cleared

Kolapoboye Kola Daisi — Oyo South — Not Cleared

Faozey Oladotun Nurudeen — Oyo Central — Not Cleared

Hameed Afeez Repete — Oyo Central — Not Cleared

Akinremi Alade Bolaji — Oyo South — Not Cleared

Bello Abudullahi Bodejo — Taraba Central — Not Cleared

Oyukaye Flag Amachree — Rivers West — Not Cleared

Tamunobaabo Wemike Danagogo — Rivers West — Not Cleared

Jack-Rich Tein T.S — Rivers West — Not Cleared

Banigo Ipalibo — Rivers West — Not Cleared

Barry Balera Mwara — Rivers South East — Not Cleared

Hassan H. Kafayos — Yobe North — Not Cleared

Sanusi Ibrahim Garachi — Zamfara Central — Not Cleared

Aliyu Abubakar — Zamfara Central — Not Cleared

Muhammad Bashir Maru — Zamfara Central — Not Cleared

Hassan Muhammad Gusau — Zamfara Central — Not Cleared

Abubakar H. Moriiki — Zamfara North — Not Cleared

Bilyaminu Yusuf — Zamfara North — Not Cleared

Isyaka Ajiya Anka — Zamfara West — Not Cleared

Ibrahim Bala — Nasarawa West — Not Cleared

Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana — Nasarawa West — Voluntary Withdrawal

Hamish Idris — Adamawa North — Not Cleared

Abdurman Kwacham — Adamawa North — Not Cleared

Donald Daunemigita — Bayelsa West — Voluntary Withdrawal

(Nigerian Tribune)