APC disqualifies 41 aspirants, clears 26 for Akwa Ibom Assembly primaries

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has disqualified 41 aspirants and cleared 26 others after a screening exercise, conducted for the House of Assembly primaries in Akwa Ibom State.

Many of those cleared are incumbent State Assembly legislators with a handful of them disqualified apparently, due to the zoning arrangement in each of the state constituencies.

Among those disqualified are KufreAbasi Edidem, Deputy Speaker, representing Itu State Constituency and a veteran legislator, Effiong Johnson, who represents Mbo State Constituency, as well as Mfon Idung, representing Ika/Etim Ekpo state constituency.

No reason was given for their disqualification, but an aide to the Deputy Speaker told BusinessDay that his disqualification was not a surprise, adding that the lawmaker has already issued a statement pledging his support to the party and has been appointed to serve, as a member of the state primaries organising committee.

“We were not surprised. The legislator has issued a statement and is pledging his support and solidarity with the party”, he said.

A report of the APC screening committee for Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly elections, which was signed by Eias Mbam, its chairman and Victor Aleke, secretary, a copy of which was made available to the media, the committee said that it carried out its assignment in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended and in line with the Electoral Act 2026, as amended.

While some of the disqualified aspirants have kicked against the decision for not being in line with the open primaries policy of the party, others embraced the idea and indicated their withdrawal from the state constituency race.

According to Inemesit Effiong, who was disqualified from the Ikono State constituency race, “after a careful reflection and extensive consultations with supporters, associates, stakeholders and respected leaders, I have taken the difficult, but necessary decision to withdraw my aspiration to represent Ikono State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.’’

The “difficult but necessary decision” reflects the growing discontent among the party members, who had opted for the open primaries, as against the consensus arrangement being adopted by the party.

Meanwhile the state government has postponed its third anniversary commissioning of projects earlier scheduled to take place within the week, citing the need to allow “political stakeholders, community leaders and party faithful to return to their respective wards and local government areas to actively participate in the forthcoming primary elections scheduled within the same period.’’

Enobong Uwah, secretary to the State Government stated this in a statement, adding that a new schedule would be made known to the public in due course, while restating that Governor Umo Eno “remains committed to the delivery of impactful projects and sustainable development across the State.’’