Fresh political tension has emerged within the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State following the screening of governorship aspirants ahead of the 2027 elections, with indications that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, may play a major role in determining the party’s candidate.
The development followed the screening of key Wike allies, including former House of Representatives Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, and Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly, by the APC screening committee headed by APC Deputy National Chairman, Benjamin Nwoye.
However, sources within the party disclosed that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, allegedly received a cold reception from the screening committee led by APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda.
A correspondent who monitored the exercise at the Plateau State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, observed that Fubara left the venue shortly after meeting with the committee and declined to speak with journalists.
Reacting to the exercise, APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, who presided over the screening in the absence of Yilwatda, said the committee would release its report after concluding the process.
The APC had earlier commenced the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination forms on April 28, with the exercise ending on May 6. Screening of governors seeking re-election and other aspirants took place between May 8 and May 10, while the party fixed May 11 for the release of screening reports.
The party also adopted both consensus and direct primary options in line with the Electoral Act 2025. Governorship primaries are scheduled for May 21, while the presidential primary will hold on May 23.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission fixed January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and state assembly elections are expected to hold on February 6, 2027.
Sources within the APC claimed that Fubara’s screening session lasted only a few minutes and differed from those of other aspirants considered loyal to Wike.
One source said Chinda and Kelly underwent smooth screening exercises because of their close relationship with the FCT minister.
According to the source, both men recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC on Wike’s directive and are believed to be among those favoured to emerge as the party’s governorship candidate in Rivers State.
The source added that Fubara’s strained relationship with Wike may have influenced the atmosphere surrounding his screening, noting that the APC leadership and the Presidency are believed to support the minister’s control of the party structure in Rivers State.
Fubara, who has been locked in a prolonged political battle with Wike over control of political structures in the state, reportedly obtained his APC governorship nomination forms through a proxy despite opposition from the minister.
Wike had repeatedly criticised Fubara and vowed that the governor would not secure a second term in office.
The minister, who remains influential in both the PDP and APC structures in Rivers State through what he describes as a “Rainbow Coalition,” has also insisted that his political camp would determine Fubara’s successor.
When contacted after the screening, Basiru maintained that the committee would issue its official report after completing the exercise for all aspirants.
Attempts to reach APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, and his deputy, Duro Meseko, were unsuccessful.
However, an aide to Fubara dismissed claims of tension during the screening, insisting that the governor was quickly cleared by the committee because there was little to question him about as an incumbent governor.
The aide also dismissed concerns over Fubara’s refusal to address journalists after the exercise, saying the governor had the right to remain silent.
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