Tension has emerged within the Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the conclusion of its screening exercise for aspirants ahead of the party’s House of Assembly primaries, where several contestants were either cleared or disqualified.

A total of 82 aspirants reportedly appeared before the party’s screening committee in Asaba for the exercise, which was conducted to assess eligibility, documentation, and compliance with internal party guidelines ahead of the primaries.

After a detailed review of the submissions presented by the aspirants, the committee cleared about 46 candidates to proceed to the next stage, while 36 others were disqualified.

Party officials explained that the screening process followed established constitutional and procedural requirements guiding candidate selection within the party. They added that the exercise was aimed at ensuring transparency, internal discipline, and credibility in the emergence of candidates for the forthcoming elections.

Findings from the exercise indicated that some of the affected aspirants were disqualified due to issues such as incomplete or inconsistent documentation, failure to meet membership requirements, discrepancies in personal records, and breaches related to zoning arrangements in certain constituencies. Officials maintained that all decisions were taken strictly in line with party rules.

The APC leadership in the state further noted that the screening committee was mandated to uphold fairness while also ensuring that only qualified aspirants progress to the primaries. According to party sources, the exercise is part of wider efforts to strengthen internal democracy and reduce post-primary disputes.

Meanwhile, the party has opened a window for appeals, allowing aggrieved aspirants to challenge the outcome of the screening exercise. An appeal committee has been set up to review complaints and determine whether due process was properly followed in each case.

The development has sparked discussions among party members and political observers across various constituencies, with many awaiting the outcome of the appeal process, which is expected to shape the final list of candidates for the primaries.

Analysts suggest that the resolution of the screening dispute could significantly influence internal alignments and political calculations within the Delta APC as preparations for the election season continue.