Rivers Crisis: Wike’s 27 Loyalists Cleared for 2027 as Fubara’s 32-Slate Faces Rejection

By Samuel Akpan

In a sweeping victory for Nyesom Wike’s faction, the APC screening committee for Rivers State House of Assembly has purged Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s loyalists from the 2027 assembly race.

Out of nearly 100 hopefuls, the committee approved just 33 candidates—a list dominated by the 27 incumbent lawmakers aligned with the FCT Minister.

This “clean sweep” saw the disqualification of all 32 Fubara-backed aspirants, including high-profile figures like Victor Oko-Jumbo, further deepening the fractures within the state’s APC hierarchy.

The two-day screening exercise, conducted on Saturday and Sunday at the APC secretariat in Port Harcourt, saw the four-man committee issue its final report on Monday, which was obtained by our correspondent.

Notably, House Speaker Martin Amaewhule has opted out of the assembly race by picking up a nomination form for the House of Representatives instead.

The committee, led by Chairman Rt. Hon. Muraina Ajibola and including Secretary Hon. Ishaku Tanko Yamawo, member Abdullah Hajia Aisha Abdullahi Adamu, and member Hon. Danjuma Samuel, emphasised that it screened every one of the 98 aspirants who presented themselves.

According to the report, the committee adopted “a transparent, orderly, and participatory procedure designed to ensure fairness to all aspirants.”

It further stated: “The Screening Committee constituted by the National Working Committee of the Party respectfully submits its report on the screening exercise conducted for aspirants seeking nomination under the platform of the Party for election into the Rivers State House of Assembly for the 2027 General Elections.

“The Committee discharged its mandate with diligence, fairness, transparency, and fidelity to the democratic ideals and progressive principles of the party.”

The screening process was described as largely peaceful and orderly, with most aspirants displaying “maturity and decorum,” except for one notable incident involving Victor Oko-Jumbo.

The report noted that Oko-Jumbo “insisted on entering the screening venue with a retinue of security aides, thereby resulting in a disagreement with officers of the Nigeria Police Force on duty,” though security personnel quickly restored calm and the exercise continued without further disruption.

In a separate development, one aspirant, Mr. Tonye Garrick Tom-George, contesting the Asari-Toru 1 seat, attempted to influence the committee by handing over an envelope containing money along with his passport photograph.

The report detailed: “The incident was reported to the police,” and the matter was promptly handed over to authorities.

The committee acknowledged receiving petitions against certain aspirants from concerned individuals but confirmed that most candidates submitted complete documentation, with any discrepancies carefully recorded.

The disqualification of Governor Fubara’s entire slate sidelined prominent figures including Victor Oko-Jumbo, Sokari Goodboy, Timothy Orubibanugha, and key ally Chijiole Ihunwo.

Meanwhile, the committee approved 33 candidates, headlined by Wike-aligned incumbents such as Deputy Speaker Maol Dumle, House Leader Major Jack, and Spokesman Enemi Alabo George.

In total, the panel cited ten specific reasons for the disqualification of the 65 unsuccessful hopefuls.

These included nominations submitted by individuals who were not financially up-to-date members of the party (contrary to Article 9.3 of the APC Constitution), inducement and attempted bribery of committee members, submission of unsworn affidavits, failure to present voters’ cards, failure to present party membership slips or cards, conflicting dates of birth.

Others include failure to confirm payment of membership dues by nominators, irregular party membership numbers of nominators, inconsistencies in names appearing on submitted documents, insufficient nominators (falling short of the required three per ward), and invalid affidavits that failed to disclose material particulars relating to NECO certificates.

The committee expressed full satisfaction with its work, stating: “The Committee is satisfied that it diligently and faithfully discharged the responsibility entrusted to it.

“The screening exercise was conducted in substantial compliance with the Constitution and Guidelines of the party and reflected the democratic spirit for which the Party stands.”