APC Disqualifies All Fubara-Aligned Aspirants in Rivers Assembly Primaries Amid Wike-Fubara Power Struggle

By Editor

The ongoing political rift between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has taken a fresh turn as the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) released the list of aspirants cleared for the party’s 2027 State House of Assembly primaries.

The development is widely seen as another chapter in the prolonged power tussle between both political camps, which has continued to shape the political landscape in Rivers State since Fubara assumed office.

According to the list released by the party, 33 aspirants were cleared to participate in the primaries, while 65 others were disqualified.Notably, all 32 aspirants believed to be loyal to Governor Fubara were disqualified from the exercise.

In contrast, incumbent members of the Rivers State House of Assembly aligned with Wike were cleared to contest.

The political feud between Wike and Fubara, once close allies, escalated shortly after the governor took office, leading to divisions within the state assembly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the broader political structure in the state.

The crisis has resulted in repeated confrontations between lawmakers loyal to both camps and growing tensions over control of the state’s political machinery.

In a statement issued by the APC State Publicity Secretary, Chibike Ikenga, aspirants who purchased the House of Assembly Expression of Interest and Nomination forms were advised to verify their screening status at the party’s state secretariat located at No. 268B Aba Road, Port Harcourt.

Ikenga added that appeals arising from the screening exercise should be submitted through the party secretariat, noting that the appeal process is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, at 10 a.m.

Meanwhile, the screening committee outlined several reasons for the disqualification of affected aspirants.

These include nominations by party members not financially up to date, alleged inducement and attempted bribery of committee members, submission of unsworn affidavits, failure to provide voter cards and party membership documents, conflicting dates of birth, inconsistencies in submitted names and records, insufficient nominators across wards, and invalid affidavits concerning NECO certificate details.