Fubara Begins Another Round of Battle in Rivers as APC Screening Committee Rejects His 63 Loyalists

The political camp of Siminalayi Fubara has been thrown into fresh uncertainty following the outcome of the just-concluded screening exercise conducted by the All Progressives Congress for aspirants seeking to contest seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The screening, which took place at the party’s secretariat in Port Harcourt over the weekend, comes amid the prolonged political crisis in Rivers State that has deepened the rift between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.

Both men, once close political allies, have been locked in a fierce power struggle over the control of the political structure in the state, particularly the State Assembly and local party machinery.

According to sources within the APC, the screening committee chaired by Rt. Hon. Muraina Ajibola reportedly disqualified all 63 aspirants believed to be loyal to Governor Fubara.

The committee, however, cleared 33 aspirants said to be aligned with Wike after assessing a total of 98 hopefuls.

The development is being viewed by political observers as another major twist in the ongoing supremacy battle between the two camps.

Since the fallout between Fubara and Wike began shortly after the governor assumed office in 2023, Rivers State politics has witnessed repeated clashes involving lawmakers, party loyalists, and key government institutions.

A report submitted by the screening panel stated that the exercise was generally peaceful and orderly but was affected by allegations of bribery attempts as well as cases of aspirants failing to meet eligibility requirements.

Despite the committee’s explanation, loyalists of Governor Fubara have strongly questioned the credibility of the process, insisting that the outcome was predetermined to favour candidates loyal to Wike.

Supporters of the governor argue that the mass disqualification of Fubara-backed aspirants reflects the deepening internal divisions within the political structure ahead of the next legislative elections.

The latest development is expected to further intensify tensions within Rivers State politics, where the rivalry between the governor and the FCT minister continues to shape the state’s political landscape.