Rivers 2027: APC Approves All House of Assembly Aspirants Loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara

The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reportedly cleared 32 aspirants believed to be loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the party’s House of Assembly primaries.

The screening exercise was held on Saturday at the APC state secretariat along the Aba Expressway in Port Harcourt, amid tight security and a noticeable deployment of police officers around the venue.

Ahead of the exercise, there were heightened political tensions and social media claims suggesting that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, planned to use security operatives to intimidate aspirants aligned with Governor Fubara. However, police authorities at the venue dismissed the allegation, with an Assistant Commissioner of Police stating that officers were deployed strictly to maintain law and order.

Following the screening, 32 aspirants identified as allies of Governor Fubara were reportedly cleared to participate in the primaries. Among them are former Obio/Akpor Local Government Chairman Chijioke Ihunwo and Victor Oko Jumbo, who currently represents Bonny in the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Other aspirants said to have been screened under the Fubara bloc include representatives from various constituencies across the state, such as Sokari Goodboy Sokari (Ahoada West), Orubienimigha Adolphus Timothy (Opobo/Nkoro), Tonye Briggs Oniyide (Akuku-Toru I), Samuel Reginald Sokari (Akuku-Toru II), and Chime Egwuma Ezebalike (Ahoada East II), among others.

Also listed are Emejim Wisdom Chiemele (Ahoada East I), Vincent Reuben Obu (Abua/Odual), Amua Isioma Henry (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni I), Nnwoziri Chukwuemeka Bishop Best (Ikwerre), and Fugbara Goodluck Ohaka (Emohua).

Others include Kpeden Kenneth (Gokana), Bobby Frank Abayomi (Port Harcourt I), Weche Ndubuisi Raymond (Port Harcourt III), Onyema Loveday Hechiaru (Omuma), Berebupakabo Isaac Sekibo (Ogu/Bolo), Luke Mobene Eneriene (Andoni), Bellor Kingsley Waite (Eleme), Claudius Princewill (Okrika), and Cline Tamunodiepriye Abdurrazaq (Port Harcourt II).

The list further features Chigozie Emem (Etche II), Morris Prince Lelesi (Khana I), Jolly Benjamin Ngbor (Tai), Prince Achor (Obio/Akpor II), Tyger Enemeniya Dumo (Degema), Ideye Granville (Asari Toru II), Gift Okere (Oyigbo), Nwankwoala Paul (Etche I), Lezina Ngbor (Khana II), and Chris Okey Ochije (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni II).

In addition to the Assembly screening, political figures aligned with the Wike camp were also screened for other positions. These include Dax Alabo George and Kingsley Chinda, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, alongside governorship hopeful Tonye Cole.

Political observers say the development further highlights the deepening factional divide within the Rivers APC, with growing expectations that the party’s primaries could become a major test of strength between the Fubara and Wike political blocs.