Fresh political tension is brewing in Rivers State after several loyalists of Governor Siminalayi Fubara failed to scale through the screening process for the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly primaries.
Among those not cleared by the party’s screening committee were former Obio/Akpor council chairman Chijioke Ihunwo, alongside serving lawmakers Sokari Goodboy and Victor Oko-Jumbo, all believed to be close allies of Governor Fubara.
Political analysts say their inability to make the final list goes beyond a routine party screening exercise, describing it as another sign of the lingering political rivalry between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
On the other hand, several aspirants reportedly linked to the Wike political camp were cleared by the party.
Those approved by the screening committee include:
- Maol Dumle
- Major Jack
- Enemi Alabo George
- Tonye Smart Adoki
- Tekenari Granville
Their clearance is widely seen as a boost for Wike’s influence within the All Progressives Congress structure in Rivers State.
The screening exercise was announced by Rivers APC publicity secretary, Chibike Ikenga, at a time political alignments are already taking shape ahead of the 2027 elections, with control of the Rivers State House of Assembly remaining a key political battleground.
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Observers say the latest development raises fresh questions about the balance of power within the Rivers APC and whether the party is gradually consolidating around a single political bloc.
Governor Fubara, who was elected under the Peoples Democratic Party in 2023, defected to the APC last year following his political disagreement with Wike.
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