Frankland caused a stir earlier this month when he announced his resignation as the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Cross River State to enable him contest in the November 16 Bayelsa governorship election.

However, the APC's screening committee disqualified him on the basis of not being a card-carrying party member for at least a year.

"At the end of the day, those who did not meet that criteria were not screened by the committee," the Isa Song-led committee said in its report.

Aspirants that were cleared for the August 29 primary election are Heineken Lokpobiri, Preys Aganaba, Ebitimi Angbare, Diseye Poweigha, Lyon David and Ongoebi Etebu.

Frankland's controversial resignation had led INEC to relieve him of his duties for violation of its Code of Conduct and the Nigerian constitution. 

"The Commission strongly frowns at the REC's expression of partisan interest. We note that the Constitution precludes National and Resident Electoral Commissioners from belonging to political parties.

"Also, the use of INEC premises and facilities for such declaration or for any political purpose is unlawful and contrary to the Code of Conduct subscribed to by all INEC officials," an official statement read.

The commission said Briyai failed to follow the laid down procedure for resignation as REC, noting that his resignation doesn't take effect until it has been received by the office of the country's president who's the appointing authority.