Fubara Camp Rejects Rivers APC Screening Report

Fresh disagreement has broken out within the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress after loyalists of Governor Siminalayi Fubara rejected the outcome of the party’s screening exercise for House of Assembly aspirants ahead of the 2027 elections.

The controversy started after a report surfaced showing that several aspirants failed the screening process conducted by the party. According to details from the exercise, 33 aspirants were cleared to participate in the primaries, while 65 others were disqualified.

Among those cleared were lawmakers believed to be loyal to former Rivers State governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Some politicians linked to Governor Fubara’s camp were reportedly affected by the disqualification list, including former factional Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo.

The development has increased tension within the party, with many affected aspirants questioning the credibility of the process. Some of them insisted they fulfilled all conditions required for the screening and claimed the exercise was arranged to favour a particular political group within the APC.

The situation became more complicated after the secretary of the screening committee reportedly denied involvement in the report circulating online. He described the document as unofficial and said it did not represent the committee’s final position.

Following the confusion, some aspirants who were listed among those disqualified also rejected allegations reportedly used against them during the screening exercise. They argued that the process lacked fairness and transparency.

Supporters of Governor Fubara within the party have continued to express anger over the outcome, warning that the dispute could deepen the political division already existing within the Rivers APC ahead of the 2027 elections.

Political observers believe the disagreement may affect efforts to unite members of the party in the state, especially with the growing rivalry between camps loyal to Governor Fubara and former governor Wike.

The Rivers APC has yet to officially address the growing complaints surrounding the screening report, but the disagreement has already created fresh uncertainty within the party as preparations for the next election continue.