Former factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Victor Jumbo, has appeared before the Screening Appeal Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to challenge his disqualification from the party’s governorship aspirants’ screening exercise. Jumbo, who is also a serving member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, is a known ally of Governor Sim Fubara. His appearance before the committee comes after the initial screening process, which saw 65 aspirants, including Jumbo, disqualified while 33 were cleared.
The screening exercise, which took place on Saturday, was conducted under the leadership of Abdul Mahmud, who chairs the APC Screening Committee. The committee had earlier announced that aspirants linked to Governor Fubara would face scrutiny, and many of them, including Jumbo, were disqualified on grounds not fully disclosed to the public. The decision sparked reactions from political stakeholders and supporters of the governor’s faction, who viewed the move as politically motivated.
Jumbo’s appeal is part of a broader effort by disqualified aspirants to seek reinstatement before the final list of cleared candidates is released. The committee had previously stated that the final list would be published after the appeal period ends. This means that aspirants like Jumbo have a chance to present their cases and potentially be reinstated if the committee finds merit in their appeals.
The APC’s screening process has become a focal point in Rivers State’s political landscape, especially as the 2025 general elections draw nearer. The party’s internal dynamics have been under close watch, particularly with the growing tension between the governor’s faction and the party leadership. The disqualification of several aspirants tied to Governor Fubara has intensified speculation about the party’s direction and leadership in the state.
While the committee has not released detailed reasons for the disqualifications, sources indicate that issues related to party loyalty, compliance with APC’s internal guidelines, and possible breaches of party structures were considered. The appeals process is now open, allowing disqualified aspirants to present evidence and arguments to overturn the initial decisions.
As the appeal window remains open, political observers are closely monitoring the developments. The outcome of Jumbo’s appeal and those of other disqualified aspirants could significantly influence the APC’s candidate selection process and the overall political balance in Rivers State. The final list, expected soon, will set the stage for the next phase of the party’s election preparations.
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