Rivers State APC clears 33 aspirants for 2027 primaries, disqualifies 65 — including all linked to Governor Fubara
Port Harcourt – The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued its final list of aspirants cleared to contest the party’s 2027 primary elections. The notice, released on Thursday, shows that 33 candidates have been approved, while 65 have been disqualified.
The most striking element of the list is the blanket disqualification of every aspirant identified with the faction of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. All 32 candidates linked to the governor’s camp failed to clear the screening process. By contrast, incumbent members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who are allied with former Governor Nyesom Wike – now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory – were among those approved.
State APC Publicity Secretary Chibike Ikenga instructed party members who purchased House of Assembly Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to verify their status on the notice board at the party’s state secretariat, No 268B Aba Road, Port Harcourt. Ikenga added that any aspirant wishing to challenge the outcome must submit an appeal to the party secretariat. The appeal session is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 12 May, at the same venue.
The screening committee, whose report accompanied the release, detailed the grounds for disqualification. Violations cited include nominations by individuals not up to date with party dues, contraventions of Article 9.3 of the APC Constitution, attempts to bribe committee members, submission of unsworn affidavits, failure to present voter cards or party membership certificates, inconsistent birth dates, unconfirmed payment of nominators’ dues, irregularities in nominators’ membership numbers, mismatched names on documents, insufficient nominators (fewer than the required three per ward), and invalid affidavits that omitted material information about NECO certificates.
The outcome is likely to reshape intra‑party dynamics ahead of the 2027 elections. By eliminating the entire Fubara‑aligned slate, the APC’s Rivers State leadership has effectively cleared the path for candidates loyal to the Wike faction. Observers note that the disqualifications could intensify factional tensions within the state’s ruling party, potentially influencing candidate selection for both legislative and executive positions.
Stakeholders awaiting the appeal results are expected to monitor the May 12 hearing closely, as any reversal could alter the composition of the final candidate list. The APC’s handling of the screening process will also be scrutinised by national party officials, who are keen to ensure that the primaries proceed without further controversy.
The final roster of cleared aspirants and the detailed reasons for disqualifications underscore the APC’s commitment to enforcing internal compliance, while also highlighting the deep political rifts that continue to characterize Rivers State politics. The forthcoming appeals will determine whether the current balance of power within the party endures or shifts in the run‑up to the 2027 general elections.
