TDThe All Progressives Congress (APC) has disqualified several aspirants from participating in its senatorial primary election, including media entrepreneur and former senator, Ben Murray-Bruce, ahead of the forthcoming senatorial primaries.
APC also disqualified Bello Abdullahi Bodejo, the national president of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore organization, a Fulani socio-cultural organisation.
The announcement was made in a press statement signed by Felix Morka, National Publicity Secretary of the APC.
The announcement followed the conclusion of screening exercises conducted by the party’s committees in line with established procedures and guidelines.
Miyetti Allah, for short, is a Fulani pastoralist association involved in advocacy for herders’ rights and livestock-related issues in Nigeria.
The announcement has stirred reactions within political circles.
Party stakeholders and supporters expressed surprise over the exclusion of some prominent contenders from the screening process.
The APC has yet to release detailed reasons for the disqualifications.
Meanwhile, sources within the party disclosed that issues relating to eligibility requirements, documentation, and internal party guidelines may have influenced the decision.
The Heads That Rolled
Miyetti Allah’s Bodejo had recently shown interest in active electoral politics but was shut down by APC.
His interest drew nationwide attention due to his controversial public profile and involvement in herders’ advocacy issues.
Ben Murray-Bruce, a former senator and founder of Silverbird Group, was also among the notable figures reportedly affected by the screening outcome.
Party officials maintained that the screening exercise was conducted in line with APC constitutional provisions and electoral regulations.
Meanwhile, supporters of some affected aspirants have called for transparency and fairness in the process.
They urged the party leadership to reconsider the decision or provide clearer explanations for the disqualifications.
The development is expected to intensify political consultations and possible appeals within the ruling party as preparations for the elections continue.
The comprehensive list, issued from the APC National Secretariat in Abuja, includes aspirants from multiple states across Nigeria.
Among those listed as “Not Cleared” include Senator Benson S. Agadaga (Bayelsa East), Daniel Effiong Asuquo (Cross River South), and Jack-Rich Tein T.S (Rivers West), among several others.
Ben Murray-Bruce Responds
Reacting to the publication, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce strongly rejected reports of his disqualification.
In a statement directed at Punch Newspaper, which had carried the story, Murray-Bruce described the report as “fallacious.”
“I was surprised to see it on your platform.
“It prompted me to call the Chairman of our great party, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, to find out why you would report such a state of affairs.
“I have neither withdrawn nor been disqualified,” he said.
He further urged the media to exercise caution and prioritize verification over speed in their reportage, stressing that “these are very fluid times” in Nigerian politics.
Implications
The release of the list has sparked debate within political circles, particularly in Bayelsa.
The rejection by Murray-Bruce of the report contrasts sharply with the APC’s official documentation.
Analysts note that such contradictions highlight the tension between party processes and public perception, especially as Nigeria approaches another election cycle.
For now, the APC insists that its screening exercise was conducted in line with party rules, while Murray-Bruce maintains that he remains in contention.
The situation underscores the fluid and often contentious nature of internal party politics in Nigeria.
The Official List Showing Murray-Bruce Disqualified
The APC’s published table of aspirants not cleared spans 47 names, covering states such as Adamawa, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Yobe, and Zamfara.
Each entry was clearly marked “Not Cleared”, with no additional remarks provided beyond the disqualification status.
See table of the APC lists of senatorial aspirants not cleared below:
| S/N | Name of Aspirant | State | Senatorial District | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hon. Hamish Idris | Adamawa | North | Not Cleared |
| 2 | Hon. Abdurman Kwacham | Adamawa | North | Not Cleared |
| 3 | Chimzobam Kingsley Nnalue | Anambra | North | Not Cleared |
| 4 | Donald Daunemigita | Bayelsa | West | Not Cleared |
| 5 | Sen. Ben Murray Bruce | Bayelsa | East | Not Cleared |
| 6 | Sen. Benson S. Agadaga | Bayelsa | East | Not Cleared |
| 7 | Daniel Effiong Asuquo | Cross River | South | Not Cleared |
| 8 | Oden Ibiang O. Ewa | Cross River | Central | Not Cleared |
| 9 | Dr. Marian Nnamaka Ogoh-Ali | Delta | North | Not Cleared |
| 10 | Sen. Usman J. Wowo | FCT | — | Not Cleared |
| 11 | Abubakar Umar Abdullahi | FCT | — | Not Cleared |
| 12 | Adam Mouktar Mohammed | Jigawa | South/West | Not Cleared |
| 13 | Sen. Garba Musa Mai Doki | Kebbi | South | Not Cleared |
| 14 | Kollo B. Jiya | Kwara | North | Not Cleared |
| 15 | Amb. Olutola John Onijala | Kwara | South | Not Cleared |
| 16 | Awolola Muritala | Kwara | South | Not Cleared |
| 17 | Adeleke Emmanuel Gbenga | Kwara | South | Not Cleared |
| 18 | Abdullahi Tanko Zubairu | Nasarawa | North | Not Cleared |
| 19 | Usman Muhammed Elegu | Nasarawa | South | Not Cleared |
| 20 | Alhaji Dr. Yusuf Moh’d Agabi | Nasarawa | South | Not Cleared |
| 21 | Ari Ali Muhammed | Nasarawa | South | Not Cleared |
| 22 | Muhammed Rabiu Sadiq | Niger | Niger/South | Not Cleared |
| 23 | Hon. Muhammed Bello A. | Niger | Niger South | Not Cleared |
| 24 | Bello Bawa Bwari | Niger | Niger South | Not Cleared |
| 25 | Ademonla Wasiu Alli | Oyo | Central | Not Cleared |
| 26 | Ajimobi Wasiu Adegboyega | Oyo | North | Not Cleared |
| 27 | Mr. Kolaboye Kola Daisi | Oyo | South | Not Cleared |
| 28 | Faozey Oladotun Nurudeen | Oyo | Central | Not Cleared |
| 29 | Hon. Hameed Afeez Repete | Oyo | Central | Not Cleared |
| 30 | Amb. Pst. Akinremi Alade Bolaji | Oyo | South | Not Cleared |
| 31 | Bello Abudullahi Bodejo | Taraba | Central | Not Cleared |
| 32 | Gyang Yaya Zi San | Plateau | North | Not Cleared |
| 33 | Napoleon Binkap Bah | Plateau | South | Not Cleared |
| 34 | Usman Efraim Gar | Plateau | Central | Not Cleared |
| 35 | Oyukaye Flag Amachree | Rivers | West | Not Cleared |
| 36 | Chief Dr. Tamunobaabo W. Danagogo | Rivers | West | Not Cleared |
| 37 | Jack-Rich Tein T.S | Rivers | West | Not Cleared |
| 38 | Banigo Ipalibo | Rivers | West | Not Cleared |
| 39 | Chief Barry Balera Mwara | Rivers | South/East | Not Cleared |
| 40 | Hon. Hassan H. Kafayos | Yobe | North | Not Cleared |
| 41 | Sanusi Ibrahim Garachi | Zamfara | Central | Not Cleared |
| 42 | Aliyu Abubakar | Zamfara | Central | Not Cleared |
| 43 | Muhammad Bashir Maru | Zamfara | Central | Not Cleared |
| 44 | Hassan Muhammad Gusau | Zamfara | Central | Not Cleared |
| 45 | Abubakar H. Moriiki | Zamfara | North | Not Cleared |
| 46 | Bilyaminu Yusuf | Zamfara | North | Not Cleared |
| 47 | Isyaka Ajiya Anka | Zamfara | West | Not Cleared |
