By our reporter 11.5.2026
All Progressives Congress has left Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his loyalists in the cold, while clearing all the Rivers State House of Assembly Members loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike.
Wike a strong ally of President Bola Tinubu controls the APC and the People Democratic Party in the State and in the screening exercise over the weekend, he ensured that Fubara who refused to dance to his tone is crowded out.
The Federal Capital Territory Minister had made it clear he would not be working with Fubara. All the 32 aspirants including Victor Oko-Jumbo backed by Fubara failed to clear the screening hurdle for the House of Assembly elections in 2027.
A standoff between the security details of Oko-Jumbo and the policemen on duty was averted.
Current Speaker of the House Martins Amaewhule was cleared to contest for the House of Representative, while deputy speaker Dumle Maol was cleared to contest for the Rivers House of Assembly.
The screening was conducted by a four-member panel headed by Muraina Ajibola, others were Tanko Yamawo Hajia Aisha Abdulahi Adamu and Danjuma Samuel. It was set up by the APC national working committee; the screening was held at the APC secretariat in Port Harcourt, and a total of 98 aspirants appeared.
“The Committee discharged its mandate with diligence, fairness, transparency and fidelity to the democratic ideals and progressive principles of the Party,” said a statement put out by the committee.
According to the committee disqualification of aspirants was hinged on nomination by party members not financially up to date, attempted inducement of committee members, submission of unsworn affidavits, failure to present voter cards and party membership slips, and conflicting dates of birth.
Governor Fubara left the venue of the screening visibly upset and did not respond to question by journalists.