2027: Fubara in Political Crossfire as Wike’s Allies Win Landslide APC Primaries in Rivers

By George OPARA

Rivers state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has been caught in a political crossfire as allies of Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) have won landslide in the primaries to contest the seats in the House of Assembly and House of Representatives come 2027 general elections.

Spear News recalls that
thirty-two aspirants for the House of Assembly and fourteen aspirants for House of Representatives aligned to Wike won the All Progressive Congress (APC) tickets for both the state and federal lower chamber legislature without ceding even one slot to the Fubara’s opposing aspirants in the 2027 general elections.

For the upcoming governorship primaries, the aspirants include, Dr. Kelly George, former House of Representatives Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda and businessman Tonye Cole.

The duo are widely perceived as politically aligned with Wike, while Mr. Cole, once an ally of former Rivers governor Rotimi Amaechi, now operates within the orbit of the coalition of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

But there are fresh political permutations within the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State indicating that Governor Siminalayi Fubara may finally emerge as the party’s consensus governorship candidate, despite deepening tensions arising from the controversial screening and primaries exercises conducted in the state where aspirants loyal to Wike unarguably dominated.

But insider sources said a common ground is underway wherein governor Fubara would be ceded the party’s gubernatorial ticket by consensus for political stability under the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC national leadership.

Under the alleged deal, while some political watchers said it will be a win-win situation for Fubara’s re-election bid, many others describe the emerging permutation as a carrot and stick compensation, noting that it will be difficult for Fubara to win a gubernatorial election without reliable party structures and, essentially without having APC state and national Assembly contenders who are loyal to him.

However, there are yet, tension and internal pressures in the land. Fubara’s loyalists, reliable sources said may not be even be placated.

Also, it is believed in most political cycles that the emergence of Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker Martin Amaewhule as APC candidate for Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency was strategic to sway the Ikwerre voting population against Fubara.

Amaewhule, did not secure the APC ticket alone, he emerged with other prominent Wike’s loyalists including Blessing Amadi and Hart Cyril Godwin.

At the APC collation center in Port Harcourt, the chairman of the House of Representatives primary committee, Hon. Wahab Owokoniran, declared multiple winners across federal constituencies in the state..

Incumbent lawmaker Dumnamene Robinson Deekor won the APC ticket for Gokana/Khana Federal Constituency with 17,073 votes, defeating Israel Lebura Ngbuelo, who polled 1,220 votes.

Other winners included Precious Igwe for Port Harcourt Federal Constituency I, Blessing Amadi for Port Harcourt II, Hart Cyril Godwin for Bonny/Degema, Felix Uche Nwaeke for Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo and Linda Somiari-Steward for Okrika/Ogu/Bolo Federal Constituency..

Incumbent lawmaker Dumnamene Robinson Deekor won the APC ticket for Gokana/Khana Federal Constituency with 17,073 votes, defeating Israel Lebura Ngbuelo, who polled 1,220 votes.

Other winners included Precious Igwe for Port Harcourt Federal Constituency I, Blessing Amadi for Port Harcourt II, Hart Cyril Godwin for Bonny/Degema, Felix Uche Nwaeke for Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo and Linda Somiari-Steward for Okrika/Ogu/Bolo Federal Constituency.

Solomon Bob for Obua/Odual/Ahoada-East, Victor Obuzor for Ahoada-West/Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni, Frederick Apiafi for Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro, Ozuzum Nwamaka for Etche/Omuma and Onyeozu Joy Nyebuchi for Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency, all won in the primaries.

The primaries were conducted amid complaints by disqualified aspirants who accused the party of manipulating the screening process to favor Wike loyalists.

Among those disqualified was Legborsi Yamaabana, President General of the Ogoni Youth Federation, who was said to have defected from APC to another political platform.

Scores of aggrieved aspirants are believed to be weighing on the option to join either the ADC or the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as palpable signs of disappointment in the APC ranks.

Yet, despite the internal pressure, APC officials maintained calmness after the exercise.

“We did not even experience any form of rancour or violence,” Mr. Owokoniran said after the primaries. “Contrary to the impression out there that Rivers State is violent, surprisingly there was no violence.

Further, the Rivers APC spokesman,, Chibike Ikenga, has appealed to unsuccessful aspirants to remain loyal to the party, insisting reconciliation mechanisms are underway ahead of the Guber primaries.

Still, analysts said a definite political acid test will come next Thursday when the APC governorship primary will be conducted to finally wrap up the ultimate winner or loser in the state power struggle between Fubara and Wike .