APC Disqualifies 32 Fubara Loyalists, Clears Wike Camp for Rivers Assembly Primaries

APC Disqualifies 32 Fubara Loyalists, Clears Wike Camp for Rivers Assembly Primaries

The Rivers State political crisis deepened on Monday as the All Progressives Congress (APC) screening committee disqualified 32 aspirants reportedly linked to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while clearing 29 candidates believed to be loyal to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike for the party’s House of Assembly primaries ahead of the 2027 elections.

The screening exercise, conducted by a four-member committee appointed by the APC National Working Committee, took place over the weekend at the party secretariat in Port Harcourt. A total of 98 aspirants were screened for the Rivers State House of Assembly tickets.

According to the committee’s report, which was signed by Rt. Hon. Muraina Ajibola (Chairman), Hon. Ishaku Tanko Yamawo (Secretary), Abdullah Hajia Aisha Abdullahi Adamu, and Hon. Danjuma Samuel, the exercise was conducted in a “transparent, orderly and participatory” manner.

Among those disqualified were 32 aspirants allegedly aligned with Governor Fubara’s political structure, including former factional Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo, Sokari Goodboy, Timothy Orubitanubigha, and Chijioke Ihunwo, a known associate of the governor.

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The committee, however, cleared 29 serving lawmakers and aspirants aligned with Wike’s political camp, including Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol, House Leader Major Jack, and House Spokesman Enemi Alabo George. Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, was also reportedly cleared and is said to have secured a nomination form to contest for the House of Representatives.

The report stated that the screening process was largely peaceful but noted a disruption involving Oko-Jumbo, who allegedly attempted to enter the venue with security aides, leading to a brief confrontation with police officers before order was restored.

It also alleged that one aspirant, identified as Tonye Garrick Tom-George of the Asari-Toru I constituency, was reported to the police after allegedly presenting an envelope containing cash and a passport photograph in what the committee described as an attempt to influence the screening process.

The committee further disclosed that several petitions were received against aspirants, while a number of candidates were screened out over documentation issues. These included failure to provide valid party membership cards, voter identification cards, discrepancies in names and birth dates, unsworn affidavits, insufficient nominators, and irregularities in academic certificates.

According to the panel, some aspirants were also disqualified for being nominated by individuals who were not financially or structurally verified party members, as well as for inconsistencies in NECO and other academic credentials.

The APC screening committee insisted that it acted within the party’s constitution and guidelines, stressing that the exercise reflected “the democratic ideals and progressive principles” of the party.

The outcome of the screening has further heightened political tension in Rivers State, where rivalry between the camps of Fubara and Wike has continued to dominate party structures and political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

As of press time, neither the APC national leadership nor Governor Fubara’s camp had issued an official reaction to the disqualification list.

APC Disqualifies 32 Fubara Loyalists, Clears Wike Camp for Rivers Assembly Primaries