Fubara Vs Wike: Rivers APC Clears 33 Aspirants, Disqualifies 65 Others

The Screening Committee of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has disqualified a former factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo, and 64 other aspirants from contesting the party’s forthcoming state assembly primaries ahead of the 2027 elections.

It was gathered that most of the disqualified aspirants are loyalists of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

The report of the screening committee, obtained by Daily Trust, was signed by the Chairman, Muraina Ajibola, and three other members.

According to the committee, the affected aspirants were screened out after they allegedly failed to meet the necessary requirements for participation in the primaries.

The committee, however, cleared 33 aspirants said to be loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Most of those cleared are incumbent members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The committee said it successfully verified the credentials of the cleared aspirants and found that they met the party’s eligibility criteria to participate in the primaries.

Those cleared include Maol Dumle, Major M. Jack, Nwabochi Frankline, Ofiks K. Christopher, Enemi Alabo George, Tonye Smart Adoki, Tekenari W. Granville, Azeru Opara, Igwe Obey Aforji, Opuende Lolo Isaiah, Ukalikpe Napoleon, Hope Ugwumadu, Kenneth Minimah, Justina Aniton Okorji, Onyema Rex Nwankwo, Jumbo Soparagha, Wami Solomon, Gift Esede Ali, Ejekwu Chisa Nathan, and Peter E. Abbey.

Others are Loolo Bulabari Henrietta, Barida Alice Samuel, Ohanuna Bright, Kue Yeghene Nwankwo Chimezie C., Emeji Gloria Chika, Ejekwu, Ezebunwo Leslie, Okpokipou Peters, Arnold O. Davids, Gerald C. Oforji, Amadi Promise Amadi, Opuene Thompson Atekebo, and Amakri Awowari.

Prominent among the disqualified aspirants is a former Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area and close ally of Governor Fubara, Chijioke Kemzunum Ihunwo.

Oko-Jumbo, who was also screened out, is one of the prominent political figures associated with the Fubara camp in the state’s ongoing political realignment.

A total of 98 aspirants reportedly obtained nomination forms to contest the APC state assembly primaries in Rivers State.

They were screened at the party secretariat in Port Harcourt over the weekend before the committee released its report.

The development has heightened political tension in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections, especially because aspirants loyal to Wike were cleared while several aspirants aligned with Fubara were disqualified.

The exercise is expected to further shape the political contest in the state, where the rivalry between the two camps has continued to dominate party activities.

Some party members have expressed concern that the mass disqualification could weaken the APC if not properly managed.

A supporter of Governor Fubara, who spoke with Daily Trust, warned that the action could make it easier for an organised opposition party to win Rivers State in the 2027 general elections.

He said, “You cannot just pursue out your key mobilizers from the party because you want to please a particular interest and you expect them to sit back and work for the success of the same people that oppressed them.

“Though we are handling it as a party, but if it’s not handle well, I believe APC as a party has just shot itself in the foot, and the resultant effect will be felt during the general election.”

The source said the party leadership would need to handle the fallout carefully to avoid deepening internal divisions ahead of the elections.