The political battle for control of Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections has taken another dramatic turn after the All Progressives Congress (APC) cleared 33 aspirants for the State House of Assembly primaries, with the majority reportedly aligned with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The development has intensified the already tense political rivalry between Wike and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, whose relationship has deteriorated into one of Nigeria’s most closely watched political feuds over the past two years.
According to the report released by the APC State House of Assembly Screening Committee, 33 aspirants were cleared after a two-day screening exercise held at the party secretariat in Port Harcourt, while 65 others failed to secure clearance.
Among those cleared were all 29 serving lawmakers loyal to Wike, including the Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Dumle Maol.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, was also reported to have secured nomination forms for a House of Representatives seat rather than seeking another Assembly term.
In contrast, aspirants reportedly aligned with Governor Fubara were said to have been disqualified by the screening committee.
Reports indicated that all 32 aspirants associated with the governor’s camp failed to make the clearance list, including former factional Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo and lawmakers loyal to the Rivers governor.
The outcome has fueled widespread political speculation about the balance of power within the Rivers APC and the growing influence of Wike over the party’s structure in the oil-rich state.
Observers say the latest development reinforces perceptions that Wike continues to maintain strong control over both the APC and major political structures in Rivers despite his ongoing conflict with Governor Fubara.
The political crisis between the two leaders began shortly after Fubara assumed office as governor, gradually escalating into a prolonged battle over control of party structures, legislative influence, and state political machinery.
The Rivers State House of Assembly became one of the major flashpoints of the conflict after lawmakers loyal to Wike clashed repeatedly with the governor’s camp over issues relating to legislative authority and political allegiance.
The latest APC screening outcome is therefore being interpreted by analysts as more than just an internal party process.
Many believe it represents a strategic consolidation of influence ahead of the 2027 elections.
Political observers note that controlling the State House of Assembly carries major significance in Rivers politics because of the legislature’s role in governance, budget approvals, oversight responsibilities, and political stability within the state.
For Wike’s political camp, securing dominance in the Assembly race could strengthen its bargaining power ahead of broader governorship and federal election contests expected in 2027.
At the same time, the exclusion of aspirants associated with Fubara may further deepen political tensions within the state.
The screening committee’s report, signed by Chairman Muraina Ajibola and other committee members, stated that the exercise was conducted with “diligence, fairness, transparency, and fidelity to democratic ideals.”
However, critics argue that the pattern of disqualifications suggests a deliberate political strategy aimed at sidelining the governor’s loyalists within the APC structure.
The controversy surrounding the screening process comes only days after reports emerged of tension during Fubara’s own governorship screening exercise before the APC committee in Abuja.
According to reports, the Rivers governor spent only a few minutes before the screening panel and later declined to comment publicly on the process, responding simply with “No comment” when approached by journalists.
Sources within the party reportedly described the atmosphere surrounding Fubara’s screening as cold and politically tense, contrasting it with the reportedly smoother experience of aspirants considered loyal to Wike.
Analysts believe the latest developments highlight the extent to which Rivers politics has become intertwined with national political calculations ahead of 2027.
The state remains one of Nigeria’s most politically strategic regions because of its economic importance, voting strength, and historical role in national elections.
Political experts also note that the APC’s handling of the Rivers crisis may influence broader perceptions of internal democracy within the ruling party as preparations intensify for the next election cycle.
Meanwhile, supporters of Governor Fubara argue that the governor still retains significant grassroots support despite the growing dominance of Wike-aligned structures within the APC.
Others believe ongoing political negotiations behind the scenes could still alter the final shape of the party’s candidate selection process before the primaries.
The uncertainty has continued to fuel anxiety among political stakeholders in Rivers State, where alliances and loyalties remain fluid ahead of the 2027 elections.
For now, however, the APC screening outcome appears to represent a major political victory for Wike’s camp, strengthening its influence over one of Nigeria’s most politically volatile states.
As the battle for Rivers State intensifies, the coming months are expected to determine whether Governor Fubara can successfully rebuild political momentum or whether Wike’s loyalists will consolidate even greater control ahead of the next general elections.