2027: Former Public Office Holders Lead APC List Of Unscreened Senatorial Aspirants

Prominent former public office holders, including former Director-General of the Silverbird Group, ex-federal lawmakers and past senators, have appeared on the list of senatorial aspirants reportedly not cleared by the All Progressives Congress (APC) screening committee ahead of the party’s senatorial primaries.

Among the most notable names on the list is former Bayelsa East Senator and media mogul, Ben Murray-Bruce, founder and former Director-General of the Silverbird Group, whose political return bid suffered a setback following his inclusion among aspirants not cleared by the party.

Murray-Bruce, who represented Bayelsa East Senatorial District in the 8th National Assembly, remains one of Nigeria’s most visible political and media figures.

His appearance on the list has sparked conversations over the party’s screening standards and the fate of high-profile political comeback attempts.

Also affected is former House of Representatives member, Daniel Effiong Asuquo, from Cross River State.

Asuquo, who represented Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, is seeking to transition to the Senate through the Cross River South Senatorial District.

Before his time in the National Assembly, he served as Chairman of Akamkpa Local Government Area and later as Director-General of the Cross River State Electrification Agency, making him one of Cross River’s most experienced political figures currently seeking higher legislative office.

Another Cross River figure on the list is Oden Ibiang O. Ewa, an APC aspirant for Cross River Central Senatorial District, whose political ambitions also appear to have been stalled by the screening outcome.

Political analysts say the development may significantly alter APC’s internal permutations in Cross River, where competition for senatorial tickets has intensified ahead of the primaries.

Also listed is former Bayelsa East Senator Benson Sunday Agadaga, another veteran politician attempting a return to the Senate.

Agadaga previously served in the National Assembly and also held executive advisory responsibilities in Bayelsa State government, making his exclusion another notable development.

In Kebbi State, former Senator Garba Musa Mai Doki was similarly listed among aspirants not cleared.

The list also includes Senator Usman J. Wowo of the Federal Capital Territory, further underscoring the number of experienced political office holders affected by the screening exercise.

Other aspirants on the list include Hon. Hamish Idris, Hon. Abdulrahman Kwacham, Dr. Marian Nnamaka Ogoh-Ali, Amb. Olutola John Onijala, Abdullahi Tanko Zubairu, and Usman Muhammed Elegu.

The development has generated reactions across party circles, with observers noting that the exclusion of several former office holders could reshape the APC’s senatorial race in multiple states.

While the party has yet to provide detailed public explanations for each disqualification, political watchers say the screening outcome may trigger appeals and internal consultations as affected aspirants seek reconsideration ahead of the primaries.