BREAKING NEWS: APC Screening Committee Clears Wike’s Loyalist, Disqualifies Fubara Loyalists in Rivers State

BREAKING NEWS: APC Screening Committee Clears Wike’s Loyalist, Disqualifies Fubara Loyalists in Rivers State

In a development that has further heightened political tensions in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Screening Committee has cleared a prominent loyalist of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, while disqualifying a long list of aspirants aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The screening exercise, which forms part of preparations for the APC primaries, has exposed the deep rift between the two political heavyweights who were once allies but are now locked in a fierce battle for control of the state’s political structure.

Disqualified Fubara Loyalists

The committee disqualified the following 32 aspirants, all said to be loyal to Governor Fubara, from contesting the APC primaries for the Rivers State House of Assembly:

1. Sokari Goodboy Sokari — Ahoada West State Constituency

2. Victor Oko Jumbo — Bonny State Constituency

3. Orubienimigha Adolphus Timothy — Opobo Nkoro State Constituency

4. Tonye Briggs Oniyide — Akukutoru State Constituency 1

5. Samuel Reginald Sokari — Akukutoru State Constituency 11

6. Chime Egwuma Ezebalike — Ahoada East State Constituency 11

7. Emejim Wisdom Chiemele — Ahoada East State Constituency 1

8. Vincent Reuben Obu — Abua State Constituency

9. Amua Isioma Henry — Ogba Egbema Ndoni State Constituency 1

10. Nnwoziri Chukwuemeka Bishop Best — Ikwerre State Constituency

11. Fugbara Goodluck Ohaka — Emohua State Constituency

12. Kpeden Kenneth — Gokana State Constituency

13. Bobby Frank Abayomi — Port Harcourt Constituency 1

14. Weche Ndubuisi Raymond — Port Harcourt Constituency 3

15. Onyema Loveday Hechiaru — Omuma State Constituency

16. Berebupakabo Isaac Sekibo — Ogu/Bolo Constituency

17. Luke Mobene Eneriene — Andoni Constituency

18. Bellor Kingsley Waite — Eleme Constituency

19. Oba Fred Ajubolaka — Okrika Constituency

20. Claudius Princewill — Asari Toru Constituency 1

21. Cline Tamunodiepriye Abdurrazaq — Port Harcourt Constituency 2

22. Chijioke Kemziunm Ihunwo — Obio Akpor Constituency 1

23. Chigozie Emem — Etche Constituency 2

24. Morris Prince Lelesi — Khana Constituency 1

25. Jolly Benjamin Ngbor — Tai State Constituency

26. Prince Achor — Obio/Akpor State Constituency 2

27. Tyger Enemeniya Dumo — Degema State Constituency

28. Ideye Granville — Asari Toru State Constituency 2

29. Gift Okere — Oyigbo State Constituency

30. Nwankwoala Paul — Etche Constituency 1

31. Prince Lezina Ngbor — Khana State Constituency 11

32. Chris Okey Ochije — Ogba Egbema Ndoni State Constituency 11

Sources close to the screening process indicated that the disqualifications were based on various technical and eligibility grounds, though details remain sketchy as of press time.

Wike Loyalist Cleared

In contrast, a key loyalist of Nyesom Wike was reportedly cleared by the committee without major hurdles, reinforcing perceptions of internal party dynamics favouring the FCT Minister’s camp in the Rivers APC structure. This clearance comes amid reports of other Wike-aligned figures also navigating the process successfully.

Political Context

The development is the latest episode in the prolonged crisis between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. Fubara, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in late 2025, has been positioning himself for a second term under the new platform. However, Wike’s influence within the APC structure appears to be shaping outcomes at the screening stage.

The mass disqualification of Fubara’s Assembly loyalists is seen by analysts as a significant setback for the governor’s efforts to consolidate control of the state legislature ahead of 2027.

Party insiders say the screening reflects ongoing realignments within the Rivers APC, with both camps jostling for dominance as the primaries approach.

As political activities intensify, stakeholders are watching closely to see how Governor Fubara’s camp will respond to the disqualifications and whether further interventions from the national leadership of the APC will be sought.