Fresh political tensions have erupted in Rivers State after the All Progressives Congress reportedly cleared loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to contest for Senate and House of Representatives seats ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development is already stirring fierce reactions within the party and among supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, with political observers warning that the move could deepen the already bitter power struggle rocking the oil-rich state.
The list released by the party revealed that Ipalibo Banigo, Tamunobaabo Danagogo, Ojukaye Amachree and Jack-Rich Tein failed to secure clearance to participate in the APC senatorial primaries.
Banigo, who previously served as deputy governor of Rivers State, is currently the senator representing Rivers West Senatorial District.
Danagogo held the position of Secretary to the State Government during the administration of Nyesom Wike and later served in the same role under Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Tein, on the other hand, is a prominent businessman who previously contested for Nigeria’s presidency.
In contrast, the party cleared Felix Obuah, a former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers, to contest for the Rivers West senatorial seat.
The APC also approved the candidacies of Allwell Onyesoh, alongside Barry Mwara and Osarosaka Ebenezer, for the Rivers South-East Senatorial District race.
Earlier, the party had screened out four House of Representatives aspirants believed to be loyal to Fubara, including three serving lawmakers — Anderson Allison Igbiki, Awaji-Inombek Abiante and Boma Goodhead.
Meanwhile, several allies of Wike clinched APC tickets during the House of Representatives primaries conducted across the 13 federal constituencies in Rivers on Saturday.
Martin Amaewhule emerged unopposed as the APC candidate for Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency I after polling 17,968 votes.
Other prominent Wike loyalists who secured APC tickets include Dumnamene Dekor, Solomon Bob, Blessing Amadi, Felix Nweke and Chukwuemele Obuzor.
