The All Progressives Congress (APC) Delta State Assembly Screening Committee has cleared Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures and Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, along with 45 other aspirants for the party’s upcoming State Assembly primary election.
This followed a rigorous two-day screening at the APC State Secretariat in Asaba, where aspirants for constituencies across Delta State were vetted under the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
In its official report, signed by Chairman Dr. Uche Uzochukwu and Secretary Dr. Chiedozie Nwafor, the committee revealed that 82 aspirants appeared. After “meticulous scrutiny,” 46 passed, while 36 were disqualified for violations.
Speaker Guwor stood alone as the cleared aspirant for Warri South-West Constituency. Among the successfully screened aspirants are, 16 sitting members of the 8th Delta Assembly eyeing re-election, plus three former commissioners—Funyei Manager (Bomadi), Harry Trakirlowei (Patani), and Orode Uduaghan (Warri North) who resigned their posts.
Disqualifications stemmed from serious issues like attempted bribery of committee members, unsworn affidavits, missing Permanent Voter Cards, invalid party slips, conflicting birth dates, name inconsistencies, unpaid party dues by nominators, zoning violations, and failure to resign political appointments per the Electoral Act.
The committee hailed the process as transparent and fair, guided by APC rules and electoral laws. “We acted with diligence to uphold party integrity, ensuring only qualified aspirants advance,” the statement read. It aims to bolster internal democracy and field strong candidates for 2027.
All cleared aspirants received congratulations, while the disqualified were urged to appeal via the party’s mechanism. “Dissatisfied aspirants can seek redress before the Screening Appeal Committee,” it noted.
Guwor’s clearance and others’ advancements signal ramped-up primaries battles across Delta State constituencies.