…the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, were successfully cleared.
RIVERS, NIGERIA- The iNews Times|The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has released the list of cleared and disqualified aspirants ahead of the party’s primaries for the 2027 general elections, further exposing the deepening political divide within the state.
According to the party, 33 aspirants were cleared to participate in the primaries, while 65 others failed the screening process.
Notably, all 32 aspirants reportedly aligned with the camp of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara were disqualified from the exercise.
In contrast, incumbent members of the Rivers State House of Assembly believed to be loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, were successfully cleared.
In a statement issued by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Chibike Ikenga, aspirants who purchased House of Assembly Expression of Interest and Nomination forms were advised to verify their screening status at the party’s state secretariat located at No. 268B Aba Road, Port Harcourt.
Ikenga further stated that appeals arising from the screening exercise should be submitted through the party secretariat.
He added that the appeal process is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, May 12, by 10 a.m. at the party secretariat.
Meanwhile, the screening committee outlined several reasons for the disqualification of affected aspirants.
Among the reasons cited were nominations by individuals who were not financially up-to-date members of the party, alleged inducement and attempted bribery of committee members, submission of unsworn affidavits, failure to present voter cards, and failure to provide valid party membership slips or cards.
Other reasons included conflicting dates of birth, inability to confirm payment of membership dues by nominators, irregular membership numbers, inconsistencies in names across submitted documents, insufficient nominators meeting the required ward spread, and invalid affidavits relating to NECO certificate disclosures.
The latest development is expected to further heighten political tensions within Rivers APC as the rivalry between camps loyal to Fubara and Wike continues to shape the state’s political landscape ahead of 2027.
