The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reportedly disqualified three lawmakers believed to be loyal to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara as the ruling party intensifies preparations for National Assembly primaries ahead of the 2027 elections.
The development comes amid continuing political tension within Rivers State and growing realignments involving influential political blocs linked to the state’s prolonged power struggle.
According to reports, the affected lawmakers were screened out during the APC’s candidate screening process for National Assembly contests.
The party also announced the composition of primary election panels responsible for overseeing various National Assembly nomination exercises nationwide.
Although official reasons for the disqualification were not fully detailed publicly, political observers believe the move may be connected to ongoing loyalty battles surrounding Governor Fubara and the wider political conflict within Rivers State.
The state has remained one of Nigeria’s most politically volatile regions following the breakdown of relations between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
The Rivers political crisis has significantly reshaped alliances across both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the APC in recent months.
Several lawmakers, local power brokers, and political stakeholders have reportedly been forced to navigate shifting loyalties amid the intense rivalry between opposing camps.
Analysts say the latest screening decision may further deepen political tensions ahead of future elections.
Candidate screening within major political parties often becomes highly controversial because party tickets can strongly determine eventual electoral success, especially in politically strategic states.
The APC’s decision to constitute National Assembly primary panels nationwide also signals the growing momentum of internal party activities ahead of the next election cycle.
Political parties across Nigeria have increasingly intensified consultations, screenings, endorsements, and alliance-building as preparations for 2027 gradually accelerate.
Within Rivers State specifically, political alignments have remained unusually fluid following the prolonged crisis involving control of the state’s political structure.
The dispute has affected the State House of Assembly, local government politics, party loyalties, and broader governance dynamics within the oil-rich state.
Governor Fubara, who emerged under the PDP platform, has continued facing political resistance from factions believed to remain loyal to former governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The rivalry has evolved into one of Nigeria’s most closely watched political conflicts in recent years.
Observers believe the reported disqualification of lawmakers associated with the governor could reflect broader efforts by rival political blocs to consolidate influence ahead of future contests.
Internal party screening processes are often used not only for eligibility assessment but also as instruments of political control and strategic positioning.
The APC’s National Assembly primaries are expected to be highly competitive due to the large number of aspirants seeking legislative tickets across the country.
Control of National Assembly seats remains politically significant because lawmakers influence party structures, constituency mobilisation, and national legislative dynamics.
Political analysts say screening controversies frequently emerge during party primaries in Nigeria because aspirants often accuse party leadership of bias, selective enforcement of rules, or politically motivated exclusions.
Such disputes sometimes result in court cases, defections, and long-term internal divisions.
The APC leadership has repeatedly urged members to maintain discipline and avoid actions capable of weakening party unity during the primary process.
However, managing competing ambitions within a large ruling party remains one of the biggest challenges facing political organisations nationwide.
The Rivers situation may become particularly sensitive because of the state’s strategic economic and political importance.
As one of Nigeria’s major oil-producing states, Rivers remains highly influential within national politics and frequently attracts intense political competition.
Observers also note that the latest development could influence future political calculations involving alliances between federal and state-level actors ahead of 2027.
Control of legislative structures may become central to broader power negotiations involving both the APC and opposition parties.
The announcement of National Assembly primary panels meanwhile suggests the APC is moving aggressively to organise its internal electoral processes nationwide.
Primary panels typically supervise delegate voting, monitor compliance with party guidelines, and manage disputes arising during candidate selection exercises.
Analysts believe the credibility of these panels may significantly affect public perception of the APC’s internal democratic process.
Past controversies involving primaries in different political parties have often raised concerns about transparency, fairness, and candidate imposition.
The screening exercise may therefore become another major test of internal cohesion within the ruling party ahead of what is expected to be a fiercely contested political season.
As alliances continue shifting across multiple states, more political surprises, defections, and strategic manoeuvres are likely to emerge in the coming months.
For now, the reported disqualification of pro-Fubara lawmakers has added another layer of tension to Rivers politics while highlighting the increasingly intense battle for political control ahead of Nigeria’s next major electoral cycle.