“No Way Forward: APC Clears Wike’s camp, Axes Fubara’s 60 Aspirants

In a major political shake-up, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has barred more than 60 aspirants loyal to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara from contesting in the party’s 2027 State House of Assembly primary elections.

The ruling party’s recently released screening list confirmed that dozens of political figures aligned with the governor’s camp failed to secure clearance to run for various constituencies.

Among the notable names disqualified are Berebupakabo Isaac Sekibo, Tamunodiepriye Fubara Goodluck Ohaka, Tonye Garrick Tom-George, Prince Emukighro Fubara, and Tamunobaraiba George.

The disqualifications cut across multiple local government areas, including Okrika, Khana, Omuma, Ahoada East, Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre, Andoni, and Akuku-Toru.

On the flip side, the APC screening committee gave the green light to 33 aspirants to participate in the assembly primaries. In a move that underscores the deepening political crisis in the state, most of the cleared candidates are known allies of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

They include Maol Dumle, Tonye Smart Adoki, Kenneth Minimah, Justina Aniton Okorji, and Arnold O. Davids.

This development comes just days after the APC similarly disqualified several Fubara-aligned aspirants from contesting in the party’s Senate and House of Representatives primaries, further widening the rift between the governor and the Wike-backed faction within Rivers State politics.