According to report by Vanguard on Sunday, May 17, 2026, Ipalibo Banigo, a former deputy governor of Rivers State and a sitting senator, is one of several notable hopefuls who have been disqualified by the All Progressives Congress (APC) from running in Monday’s senate primary election.
The party leadership ruled out Banigo’s re-election to the Senate, despite the fact that he was the deputy governor under former Governor Nyesom Wike from 2015 to 2023.
The APC announced on Sunday that Ojukaye Flag Amachree, Dr. Tamunobaabo Danagogo, a former secretary to the Rivers state government, and businessman Jack-Rich Tien are among the aspirants who are not allowed to run in the Rivers West senatorial district.
Their disqualification has caused a political storm, especially as the party has not offered any official explanations for it.
Several prominent politicians who were seen as loyal to the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, were given the green light to run for office at the same time. Felix Obuah represents Rivers West, Allwell Onyeosoh the South-East, Osarosaka Ebenezer the North, and Barry Mwara the South.
Some political observers have speculated that the excluded candidates may have been blacklisted because of their supposed betrayal of Wike.
One possible factor that led to Banigo’s disqualification, according to party sources, was her decision to remain impartial amid the political spat between Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Danagogo, who allegedly avoided publicly aligning with either faction throughout the crisis despite serving in crucial posts under both Fubara and Wike, has also been accused of similar wrongdoing.
In response, human rights activist Comrade Solomon Lenu expressed concern that the APC would experience deep internal strife in the run-up to the 2027 general election.
He stated that excluding party members without clear reasons damages internal democracy and could incite disgruntled members to rebel from within.
Lenu pointed out that, even though it’s tough to defect at the moment due to electoral laws, disgruntled aspirants may stay in the APC and subtly undermine its campaigns.
He emphasised that there ought to have been an open and fair primary process where all contenders could have tested their popularity.