The All Progressives Congress (APC) has cleared several lawmakers and political figures aligned with Minister Nyesom Wike to contest the 2026 House of Representatives elections in Rivers State, while disqualifying aspirants believed to support Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The screening committee released a list of cleared and disqualified candidates for the South-South zone, confirming that Speaker Martin Chike Amaewhule of the Rivers State House of Assembly was approved for the Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency.
Other cleared candidates include Felix Uche Nwaeke for Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo, Hart Cyril Godwin and Philmoore Tombodiea Tony for Bonny/Degema, Dumnamene Dekor and Israel Lebura Ngbuelo for Gokana/Khana, and Blessing Chisery Amadi and Igwe Precious for Port Harcourt Federal Constituency. Victor Chukwuemele Obuzor and Solomon Bob were cleared for Egbeda/Ndoni/Ahoada West/Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni, while Onyeozu Joy Nyebuchi and Adiele Lawrence Ogbor made it for Ikwerre/Emohua.
Linda Somiari Steward and Tekena Thankgod Ikiaki were approved for Okrika/Ogu/Bolo, Frederick Apiafi for Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro, Tom Epikaw Peter for Ikot Abasi/Eket, and Ozuzum Chibuzor Nwamaka for Etche/Omuma. On the other hand, retired Air Commodore John Azubuike Opara was not cleared for Port Harcourt, Anderson Allison Igbiki for Okrika/Ogu/Bolo, Awaji Imombek D. Abirite for Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro, and former federal lawmaker Boma Goodhead for Asari-Toru/Akuku-Toru.
The APC has not officially explained the reasons for the disqualifications, though party sources cited issues with documentation and screening requirements. The outcome deepens the rift between the Wike and Fubara factions within Rivers APC, with political observers noting the screening may influence the party's internal balance ahead of 2026.
The APC cleared Speaker Amaewhule, a Wike ally, while rejecting Governor Fubara's supporters despite both being party members. This outcome suggests the party's screening panel in Rivers is not neutral but aligned with one faction. Fubara's camp may now question the fairness of internal processes meant to be impartial. If candidates are filtered by loyalty rather than merit, the APC risks becoming a tool of personal agendas.
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