The political battle between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has taken a dramatic new turn following the controversial screening of aspirants for the 2027 Rivers State House of Assembly elections on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.
A screening committee constituted by the party reportedly disqualified all 32 aspirants believed to be aligned with Governor Fubara, while clearing all 29 serving lawmakers loyal to Wike for participation in the APC primaries.
The development has intensified political tensions within Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections, further exposing the widening divide between the two camps struggling for dominance in the state’s political structure.
According to reports from the committee, a total of 98 aspirants appeared before the panel during a two-day exercise held at the APC secretariat in Port Harcourt. The committee, chaired by Muraina Ajibola, stated that the screening process was conducted in a transparent and orderly manner.
Among those reportedly cleared were serving lawmakers loyal to the Wike camp, including Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol, House Leader Major Jack, and House Spokesman Enemi Alabo George.
However, several prominent pro-Fubara figures were said to have failed the screening, including Victor Oko-Jumbo, Sokari Goodboy, Timothy Orubibanugha, and Chijioke Ihunwo.
The committee cited multiple reasons for the disqualification of some aspirants, including alleged failure to provide valid party membership documents, absence of voter cards, submission of unsworn affidavits, conflicting birth records, and allegations of inducement and attempted bribery of committee members.
Despite the circulation of the screening outcome, the APC screening committee later issued a disclaimer distancing itself from the widely shared list of cleared and disqualified aspirants.
Secretary of the committee, Tanko Yamowa, described the publication as unauthorized and false, insisting that no official list had been released by the party.
“The attention of the party leadership has been drawn to the circulation of a purported list of cleared and uncleared aspirants for the Rivers State House of Assembly currently making rounds across various media platforms,” Yamowa stated.
“We wish to categorically state that the said publication is false, unauthorized and does not emanate from the appropriate party authorities.”
Meanwhile, Wike has publicly distanced himself from the controversy, insisting that he has no role in the APC screening process because he is not a member of the party.
Speaking during an inspection of ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja, the former Rivers governor dismissed suggestions linking him to the exercise.
“I am not a member of the APC, so I don’t know what is happening in their screening,” Wike said.
“I’m not a native doctor, neither am I a prophet.”
The minister, however, hinted at a broader political strategy ahead of 2027, revealing that his political coalition in Rivers State would adopt what he described as a “rainbow coalition” approach based on electoral strength and strategic alliances.
Amid the unfolding APC crisis, the African Democratic Congress has continued to gain momentum in Rivers State.
The party disclosed that no fewer than eight aspirants have already indicated interest in contesting for the governorship election under its platform in 2027.
The chairman-elect of ADC in Rivers State, Dr. Chukwudi Dimkpa, described the growing influx into the party as evidence of a major political realignment in the state.
Dimkpa also praised former Rivers governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, for declaring interest in contesting the presidency on the ADC platform.
According to him, the party is attracting experienced politicians, technocrats, professionals, and private sector leaders who are seeking what he called a “fresh political order” for Rivers State and Nigeria.
He added that several aspirants have also shown interest in contesting for Senate, House of Representatives, and State Assembly seats under the ADC banner, signaling what observers see as a potentially significant shift in Rivers State politics ahead of 2027.
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