Rivers crisis deepens as APC disqualifies Fubara loyalists from primaries

The national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has disqualified dozens of aspirants linked to Siminalayi Fubara from the party’s 2027 state house of assembly primaries in Rivers State.

A screening list released by the APC showed that more than 60 aspirants were not cleared to contest the assembly primaries across different constituencies in the state.

Many of those affected are believed to be loyalists of Fubara and members of his political camp amid the lingering political crisis in Rivers State.

The development is expected to deepen tensions within the APC in the state, as supporters of the governor continue to battle for control of the party structure ahead of the 2027 elections.

Among those not cleared are Berebupakabo Isaac Sekibo, Tamunodiepriye Fubara Goodluck Ohaka, Tonye Garrick Tom-George, Prince Emukighro Fubara, and Tamunobaraiba George.

The list also showed that aspirants from constituencies including Okrika, Khana, Omuma, Ahoada East, Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre, Andoni and Akuku-Toru were affected by the screening outcome.

The APC cleared 33 aspirants for the assembly primaries. Several of those cleared are allies of FCT minister Nyesom Wike.

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

The development comes days after the APC screened out several aspirants aligned with Fubara from the party’s senate and house of representatives primaries in Rivers state.