The political crisis rocking Rivers State has taken another dramatic turn after several loyalists of Governor Siminalayi Fubara failed to pass the All Progressives Congress screening exercise for aspirants seeking to contest the State House of Assembly elections ahead of the 2027 general polls.
The development has immediately sparked intense political reactions across Rivers State and beyond, with many observers describing it as a major setback for the governor’s camp in the increasingly bitter supremacy battle between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. The outcome of the screening has also strengthened claims that the APC structure in Rivers may now be firmly under the influence of forces loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Among those who reportedly failed to scale through the screening process are former Obio/Akpor Local Government chairman Chijioke Ihunwo, alongside serving lawmakers Sokari Goodboy and Victor Oko-Jumbo. The trio are widely known as strong political allies of Governor Fubara and have remained openly aligned with him throughout the prolonged political crisis that has divided Rivers State into rival camps. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Their exclusion from the final screening list is already being interpreted by political analysts as more than a simple internal party exercise. Many believe it signals a deliberate political strategy aimed at weakening Fubara’s influence within the APC ahead of the critical 2027 elections. The Rivers State House of Assembly has remained one of the key battlefronts in the conflict between both camps, making the screening exercise highly significant in the broader power struggle.
In contrast, several aspirants believed to be loyal to Wike were successfully cleared by the party’s screening committee. Among those who made the list are Maol Dumle, Major Jack, Enemi Alabo George, Tonye Smart Adoki and Tekenari Granville. Their successful screening is being viewed as a reinforcement of Wike’s dominance within the APC political structure in Rivers State.
The screening exercise was confirmed by Rivers APC publicity secretary Chibike Ikenga, who stated that the process was part of the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections. However, despite the official explanation, political tension has continued to rise as supporters of the governor interpret the outcome as evidence that powerful interests within the APC are working against Fubara’s camp.
The latest development comes amid growing uncertainty surrounding Governor Fubara’s political future following his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC last year. His move to the ruling party had initially triggered speculations that peace could return between him and Wike after months of fierce political confrontation. Instead, recent events suggest that the rivalry may have deepened further despite both men now operating within the same political environment.
The crisis between the governor and Wike has dominated Rivers politics for nearly three years, with both camps battling for control of political structures, appointments and influence across the oil-rich state. The conflict became so intense that it repeatedly attracted the intervention of President Bola Tinubu and other national political stakeholders seeking reconciliation between both sides. Despite several meetings and negotiations, the relationship between the two political heavyweights has remained strained.
Only days before the controversial screening outcome, reports had emerged that Governor Fubara experienced a tense moment during the APC governorship screening exercise in Abuja. According to reports, the governor allegedly received what insiders described as a “cold reception” from members of the screening committee and later left the venue visibly upset without addressing journalists waiting outside.
BusinessDay reported that Fubara arrived at the Plateau Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, where the screening exercise took place, but spent only a few minutes before exiting the venue. Journalists who attempted to speak with him afterward were ignored as the governor hurried into his vehicle and departed without making comments. The incident fueled fresh speculation about his standing within the APC and whether influential figures in the party are comfortable with his second-term ambition.
Sources quoted in several reports claimed that other aspirants linked to Wike had smoother interactions with the screening committee, unlike the governor’s reportedly brief and tense appearance. Although APC officials have insisted that no final report has yet been released, many political watchers believe recent developments are already exposing the internal alignments shaping the battle for Rivers State ahead of 2027.
The unfolding events have now raised serious questions about whether the APC in Rivers State is gradually transforming into a single dominant political bloc controlled by one faction. There are also concerns over whether Fubara’s loyalists still have enough political room within the party to pursue their ambitions or whether some may eventually seek alternative political platforms as the struggle intensifies.
For many observers, the screening outcome may represent more than just the rejection of a few aspirants. It could become a defining moment in the political future of Rivers State, especially as the battle for control of the state moves closer to the decisive 2027 elections. With both camps refusing to back down and tensions continuing to rise, Rivers appears set for one of the fiercest political contests in Nigeria’s recent history.
