APC Disqualifies Four Fubara Loyalists From Rivers Primaries

The All Progressives Congress has disqualified four loyalists of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara from participating in the party’s House of Representatives primaries scheduled for May 16, 2026.

The decision was contained in the final list of cleared and disqualified aspirants released by the APC and circulated to party members on Friday.

Among those barred from contesting are serving members of the House of Representatives, Awaji-Inombek Abiante and Boma Goodhead, both regarded as political allies of Governor Fubara.

Also disqualified were retired Air Commodore John Opera and politician Anderson Igbiki.

Abiante had emerged as one of the most prominent politicians backing Fubara’s political interests within Rivers State and was reportedly among those who obtained governorship nomination forms on behalf of the governor during earlier political consultations.

In contrast, 21 aspirants were cleared by the party to participate in the primaries, including Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly Martin Amaewhule.

Amaewhule, a central figure in the prolonged political crisis in Rivers State, is seeking to contest for the Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives.

Political observers say his ambition could set up a major contest against current Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda.

The Rivers APC Publicity Secretary, Chibike Ikenga, confirmed the development in a statement issued in Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the final list of aspirants was approved by the APC national leadership ahead of the primaries.

Ikenga urged all aspirants to comply with the party’s directives and take the released list seriously in preparation for the scheduled exercise.

The latest development is expected to deepen political tensions in Rivers State, where divisions between supporters of Fubara and factions loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike have continued to shape the state’s political landscape.

Since assuming office, Fubara has remained embroiled in a prolonged political struggle involving the Rivers State House of Assembly and competing power blocs within the APC and the broader political establishment in the state.

The crisis has triggered defections, court battles and repeated confrontations over control of political structures ahead of the 2027 elections.

Analysts believe the disqualification of Fubara’s allies from the APC primaries may further complicate reconciliation efforts within the party and intensify the battle for influence ahead of future elections.

The APC primaries in Rivers are being closely monitored nationally because of the state’s strategic political importance and the growing rivalry among influential figures seeking control of party structures.

Observers say the outcome of the primaries could significantly affect political alignments in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections.