By Our Correspondent

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Screening Committee for senatorial primaries in Rivers State has disqualified four high-profile aspirants loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara including his ex-SSG, Tammy Danagogo.

As serving Senator representing Rivers West District, Dr. Mrs. Ipalibo Banigo, former Staff of NSA, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, and businessman, Tein Jack-Rich all perceived to be loyal to the governor.

The screening committee meanwhile, cleared loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, including Bro. Felix Obuah and Senator Allwell Onyesoh who is also seeking a return to the Senate, alongside other aspirants.

Obuah, a former PDP Chairman in Rivers State from Rivers West, recently purchased his nomination form and was cleared for the Senate race. His candidacy has raised questions over the timing of his defection to the APC, as he was present at both the APC and PDP national conventions.

Senator Allwell Onyesoh of Rivers East and Senator Ipalibo Banigo of Rivers West were among notable figures who defected to the APC in recent weeks following a wave of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party.

The screening outcome as announced is expected to alter the dynamics of the APC senatorial primaries across the 3 senatorial districts of the state on Monday, 18th May, 2026.

Daily Echoes Media gathered that the screening focused on eligibility criteria such as party membership status, financial obligations, and other constitutional requirements. The final list is expected to be released officially.

The results of Monday’s primaries are likely to further influence the ongoing political realignment in Rivers State, where control of the three senatorial seats remains a key battleground between rival factions.

By Uthman-Baba Naseer, Minna

The ruling All Progressives Congress in Niger State over the weekend across the twenty five Local Government Areas conducted its party Primaries of the state ahead of the 2027 general elections, with some areas adopting consensus arrangements to select candidates.

In Chanchaga Local Government Area, three aspirants initially contested for the party’s ticket for the House of Representatives seat. However, the incumbent lawmaker, Abubakar Audu Buba, stepped down from the race, allowing the remaining aspirants to continue with the contest.

Party supporters described the decision as a move aimed at promoting unity and ensuring a peaceful primary election process within the constituency.

In Bosso Local Government Area, the atmosphere also remained peaceful as six aspirants contested for the APC ticket to represent the Bosso/Paikoro Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives during the 2027 elections.

Despite the peaceful conduct recorded in many areas, some wards experienced delays in the commencement of voting due to large crowds of party supporters who gathered at polling centres to witness the exercise. The heavy turnout and logistical challenges reportedly affected the early start of the primaries in some locations.

However, party officials and security personnel maintained order throughout the exercise, while no case of violence or major disruption was reported in the Chanchaga and Bosso/Paikoro constituencies.

Reports from the Gurara/Tafa/Suleja Federal Constituency indicated that the primary election could not hold following allegations of candidate imposition involving the incumbent member representing the constituency. Aggrieved party members were said to have protested against the development.

In the Mokwa/Lavun/Edati Federal Constituency, former Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Adamu Usman, emerged as the consensus candidate of the party.

Similarly, reports from Shiroro Federal Constituency indicated that the election was not conducted due to allegations of candidate imposition, leading to disagreements among party members.
While many APC members praised the peaceful conduct of the primaries across most parts of the state, some aggrieved members alleged irregularities and accused party officials of rigging the process.

The primaries form part of the APC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections as aspirants seek the party’s mandate to contest various elective positions across Niger State.

However,they were public out cries across the twenty five local government where the APC Primaries were conducted alleging that the imposition of aspirants took over the centre stage of conduct of the Primaries.

One of the aspirant of APC in Paikoro Local Government, Alhaji Adamu Makun Sheikh alleged that out of the eleven wards of the local government area election was conducted and inconclusive.

He said that the election was rescheduled to take place by nine o’clock on Sunday,”we are all at the venue and none of the officials were presence”

He threaten to take appropriate legal action if nothing is done to address the abnormality recorded in the conduct of the APC Primaries in Niger

By David Owei,Bayelsa

The senator representing Bayelsa East at the Senate ,senator Benson Agadaga has denied a popurted media reports about his withdrawal from the Senatorial race.

A statement by his media team made available to journalists
Stated that
“Our attention has been drawn to a false and misleading narrative currently circulating across various social media platforms alleging that the Senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial district has voluntarily withdrawn from the APC Senatorial Primaries scheduled for Monday, May 18, 2026.”

It stated further that “we wish to state categorically that the information is false, baseless, and as such should be disregarded by the general public, party faithfuls, supporters, and well-wishers.

Senator Benson Agadaga MON, remains fully in the race and have neither withdrawn nor stepped down for anyone.”

According to the statement, they sincerely appreciate the overwhelming support, prayers, and encouragement from our leaders, stakeholders, party members, and the good people of Bayelsa East Senatorial District and
urge everyone to remain calm, focused, and committed as we continue this journey together.