Former Deputy Governor of Rivers State and serving senator, Senator Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has been disqualified from contesting the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election for re-election into the Senate.

In a statement released by the party on Sunday, other aspirants disqualified from participating in Monday’s primary election include Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, Dr Tamunobaabo Danagogo, a former Secretary to the Rivers State Government, and businessman, Tein Jack-Rich, all from Rivers West Senatorial District.

However, close allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, including Felix Obuah (Rivers West), Allwell Onyeaso (Rivers South-East), Osaro Onaiwu and  Barry Mbara, were cleared to contest the primaries.

Although the party did not state reasons for the disqualifications, political observers alleged that the action may not be unconnected with perceived disloyalty to the FCT minister.

A House of Assembly aspirant in the APC, who spoke in confidence, alleged that Banigo’s disqualification may be linked to her neutral stance during the political crisis between Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

According to the source, Fubara, who is from Rivers West Senatorial District, was allegedly not openly supported by Banigo during the crisis.
“Though she served as Wike’s deputy for eight years and later became senator through his support, she did not approve of the manner Governor Fubara was allegedly treated,” the source claimed.

The source added that Danagogo may have suffered a similar fate for failing to publicly align with Wike during the political crisis.

“He served as Secretary to the State Government under both Wike and Fubara, but was not visibly supportive of Wike during the crisis period,” the source alleged.

Reacting to the development, a human rights activist, Solomon Lenu, warned that the disqualifications could trigger internal crisis within the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Lenu said the treatment of some founding members and loyalists of the party could lead to deep divisions within the APC.

“Some of those disqualified may remain in the party and work against its interests during the elections,” he said.

He further argued that denying aspirants the opportunity to test their popularity at the polls undermines democratic principles.

“Everybody should be allowed to test his or her popularity through a transparent process,” he added.