Fresh Rivers Crisis as APC Disqualifies Fubara Allies Ahead of Primaries

The crisis rocking the political landscape in Rivers State deepened on Friday as the All Progressives Congress (APC) disqualified four loyalists of Governor Siminalayi Fubara from participating in the party’s House of Representatives primaries scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2026.

The development was contained in the final list of cleared and disqualified aspirants released by the APC and made available to journalists in Port Harcourt on Friday.

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

Also disqualified by the party are retired Air Commodore John Opera and Hon. Anderson Igbiki.

The exclusion of Abiante from the primaries has particularly drawn attention within political circles in Rivers State due to his strong political alignment with Governor Fubara and his prominence in the state’s ongoing political realignment. Abiante had purchased the APC governorship nomination form on behalf of Governor Fubara, a move widely interpreted as a signal of growing collaboration between the suspended governor’s camp and sections of the APC structure in the state.

Political observers believe the disqualification of the governor’s loyalists may further intensify the internal power struggle within the Rivers APC, especially amid lingering tensions between supporters of Fubara and loyalists of former governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Despite the disqualification of the four aspirants, the APC cleared 21 others to participate in the primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Among those cleared is the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, who is contesting for the Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives.

Amaewhule’s ambition is seen as a direct challenge to the current Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, who hails from the same constituency. The contest is expected to attract significant political attention due to the influence both camps wield in Rivers politics.

Confirming the development, the Rivers State APC Publicity Secretary, Chibike Ikenga, issued a statement in Port Harcourt announcing the final list of aspirants cleared and disqualified for the primaries.

The statement, titled “Final List of Aspirants for the House of Representatives Primary Election for Saturday, 16th May, 2026,” stated that the list was approved and released by the national leadership of the APC.

Ikenga urged all aspirants and party stakeholders to comply with the directives contained in the notice, stressing that the primaries would proceed as scheduled.

Part of the statement read, “You are by this notice informed of the release of the final list of aspirants for the House of Representatives primary election of our great party, the APC, scheduled for 16th May, 2026, as released by the National Leadership of the Party.

“Aspirants are kindly advised to note and comply accordingly. This information must be taken seriously in view of the election as scheduled.

“Please find attached the list of aspirants who are cleared and/or not cleared.”

The latest development comes amid heightened political maneuvering in Rivers State as parties begin strategic positioning ahead of the 2027 elections. Analysts say the APC primaries may shape the future political direction of the state, particularly as alliances and rivalries continue to evolve between major political actors.