Some prominent loyalists of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, seeking senatorial tickets on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), have suffered setbacks after failing to meet the party’s screening requirements ahead of the 2027 primaries.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Rivers APC Publicity Secretary, Chibike Ikenga, the party disclosed that Senator Ipalibo Banigo, who currently represents Rivers West Senatorial District, was not cleared to contest the primaries.
Also disqualified was former Secretary to the Rivers State Government and close ally of Governor Fubara, Tammy Wenike Danagogo.
Businessman and former presidential aspirant, Tein Jack-Rich, was equally not cleared to participate in the senatorial primaries.
In a surprising development, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, regarded as an ally of former Rivers State Governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, was also screened out by the party.
The party, however, cleared Felix Obuah for Rivers West Senatorial District, while Allwell Onyesoh and Chief Barry Mwara were cleared for Rivers South-East Senatorial District.
Meanwhile, the APC House of Representatives primaries in Rivers State produced several winners across the 13 federal constituencies.
Chairman of the APC Reps Primary Committee, Wahab Owokoniran, announced the results at the party’s secretariat along Aba Road in Port Harcourt.
According to him, incumbent lawmaker Dumnamene Robinson Deekor emerged winner of the Gokana/Khana Federal Constituency primary after polling 17,073 votes to defeat Israel Lebura Ngbuelo, who scored 1,220 votes.
Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, also secured the APC ticket for Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency.
Other winners included Precious Igwe for Port Harcourt Federal Constituency I, Blessing Amadi for Port Harcourt II, and Hart Cyril Godwin for Bonny/Degema Federal Constituency.
Felix Uche Nwaeke emerged winner for Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo Federal Constituency with 18,605 votes, while Isobo Solomon clinched the APC ticket for Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru Federal Constituency.
Linda Somiari-Steward won the Okrika/Ogu/Bolo Federal Constituency ticket, Solomon Bob emerged winner for Obua/Odual/Ahoada-East, while Victor Obuzor secured victory for Ahoada-West/Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Federal Constituency with 15,626 votes.
Frederick Apiafi won the primary for Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro, Ozuzum Nwamaka secured the Etche/Omuma ticket with 10,440 votes, while Onyeozu Joy Nyebuchi defeated Adiele Ogbor with 13,704 votes to emerge candidate for Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency.
The party had earlier screened 21 aspirants and disqualified four loyalists of Governor Fubara from participating in the primaries.
Speaking after the exercise, Owokoniran described the primaries as peaceful and orderly, contrary to widespread fears of violence in Rivers State politics.
“We did not experience any rancour or violence. Contrary to the impression that Rivers State is always violent, the process was peaceful and orderly,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the APC would perform strongly in the 2027 elections across all elective positions in the state.
Also speaking, APC state publicity secretary, Chibike Ikenga, urged aggrieved aspirants to remain committed to the party, noting that internal reconciliation mechanisms would be activated to unite members ahead of the general election.
Blessing Ibunge
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