Port Harcourt — Former Rivers State Governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has further consolidated his influence in the state’s political landscape as the All Progressives Congress (APC) disqualified several key loyalists of Governor Siminalayi Fubara from contesting upcoming primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a major setback for the governor’s camp, the APC screening committee disqualified at least four prominent Fubara-aligned aspirants for House of Representatives seats, including serving lawmakers Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante and Hon. Boma Goodhead. Other disqualified aspirants include John Opera and Anderson Igbiki. Meanwhile, the committee cleared 21 candidates, many of whom are perceived as allies of Wike, including figures like Martin Amaewhule.
Similar patterns emerged in the state assembly primaries, where reports indicate that nearly all aspirants aligned with Governor Fubara were disqualified, while Wike-linked candidates advanced. This development comes amid the ongoing bitter rift between Wike and his successor, which has seen Fubara defect from the PDP to the APC.
Political analysts view the screening outcomes as a strategic assertion of control by Wike, who has maintained strong grassroots structures and influence across local government areas despite Fubara’s position as incumbent governor. The disqualifications have sparked fresh tensions and accusations of internal bias within the Rivers APC.
Governor Fubara, who recently received clearance to contest the APC gubernatorial primary, faces an uphill battle to build a formidable structure independent of Wike’s network. The minister has publicly stated that Fubara does not automatically control the party’s machinery in the state despite his defection.
The power tussle, which began shortly after Fubara’s 2023 inauguration, has dominated Rivers politics, leading to parallel structures in the PDP earlier and now playing out intensely within the APC as parties prepare for 2027 contests.
