THANK YOU, TRY AGAIN: APC Releases List of Reps Aspirants Not Cleared
By Jerry Adesewo, Abuja
The All Progressives Congress has released the list of House of Representatives aspirants disqualified from participating in the party’s forthcoming primary elections, effectively ending the ambitions of several hopefuls—at least for now.
The publication of the non-cleared list has already generated tension within party circles, particularly among supporters of affected aspirants who insist the screening process lacked transparency and fairness.
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According to the party’s screening committee report, the affected aspirants failed to meet one or more requirements outlined by the APC ahead of the primaries. While the party did not immediately provide detailed public explanations for every disqualification, sources within the process cited issues ranging from documentation discrepancies and qualification concerns to internal party compliance matters.
The development now reshapes the political calculations in several constituencies where contests were expected to be highly competitive.
For many aspirants, the APC ticket remains one of the most strategic political assets ahead of the general elections, especially in states and constituencies where the ruling party retains strong electoral dominance. Being excluded from the primaries, therefore, carries consequences beyond personal disappointment—it can significantly alter local power structures and political alliances.
Within hours of the list’s release, reactions began emerging from party stakeholders and loyalists. While some defended the screening exercise as necessary to protect party integrity, others described it as another example of the increasingly contentious nature of internal party politics in Nigeria.
Political observers note that screening controversies have become a recurring feature of party primaries across major political parties, often leading to litigation, defections, parallel campaigns, and intra-party resentment.
In the APC particularly, where competition for tickets is intense due to the advantages of incumbency and party reach, exclusion from the process can quickly escalate into broader factional disputes.
Some affected aspirants are already reportedly exploring appeal mechanisms within the party, while others may consider alternative political platforms if reconciliation efforts fail.
The phrase “Thank You, Try Again” may sound humorous in political commentary, but for many of those excluded, the implications are serious—involving years of political investment, financial mobilisation, and constituency planning suddenly interrupted by a screening decision.
The APC leadership has repeatedly insisted that the screening exercise was conducted in line with party guidelines and aimed at ensuring only qualified aspirants participate in the primaries.
Yet the real test may not be the publication of the list itself but how the party manages the fallout, because in Nigerian politics, candidates do not merely lose elections. Sometimes, they lose the process long before the ballot appears.
List of APC Aspirants Not Cleared and Their Constituencies:
- Adefisoye Tajudeen | Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency (Ondo)
- Olusegun Victor Ategbole | Akoko South-East/South-West Federal Constituency (Ondo)
- Seun Oluwashina Ajongbolo | Akoko South-East/South-West Federal Constituency (Ondo)
- Arowole Ayodeji Samuel | Owo/Ose Federal Constituency (Ondo)
- Morufu Tosin Ibrahim | Akoko North-East/North-West Federal Constituency (Ondo)
- Oseni Oyeniyi | Akoko North-East/North-West Federal Constituency (Ondo)
- Olaleye John Adedipe | Akoko North-East/North-West Federal Constituency (Ondo)
- Bashir Ibrahim Bello | Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency (Bauchi)
- Idu Igariwe | Afikpo/Edda Federal Constituency (Ebonyi)
- Sanni Salau Ogembe | Okene/Ogori-Magongo Federal Constituency (Kogi)
- John Azubuike Opara | Port Harcourt Federal Constituency (Rivers)
- Anderson Allison Igbiki | Okrika/Ogu-Bolo Federal Constituency (Rivers)
- Awaji Imombek D. Abirite | Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency (Rivers)
- Boma Goodhead | Asari-Toru/Akuku-Toru Federal Constituency (Rivers)
THANK YOU, TRY AGAIN: APC Releases List of Reps Aspirants Not Cleared