Fresh political tension gripped the All Progressives Congress screening exercise in Abuja on Sunday amid signs that allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, may be strengthening their hold on the Rivers State party structure ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, appeared before the APC screening committee at the Plateau State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro on Sunday, May 10, 2026, but left shortly after without addressing journalists.
Sources at the venue said the governor appeared visibly unsettled after the brief session, heightening speculation over his standing within the party’s emerging power structure.
Fubara’s appearance came against the backdrop of his long-running political rift with his predecessor, Wike, over control of political structures in Rivers State.
Also screened were former House of Representatives Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, and Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Alabo George Kelly, both widely seen as Wike loyalists.
Party insiders said their sessions were smooth compared to Fubara’s, further fueling perceptions of a deepening influence of the FCT minister within the state APC structure.
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A senior party source said the differing atmospheres reinforced the belief that Wike’s camp remains firmly positioned within the party’s Rivers framework.
“The contrast was clear. Those aligned with Wike went through without issue, while Fubara’s session carried visible tension,” the source said.
Another insider suggested the brief interaction could signal early positioning ahead of the governorship ticket decision.
APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, said the committee would release its report after completing all screenings, stressing that every aspirant must appear before the panel.
An aide to the governor, however, insisted Fubara was not sidelined, saying he was cleared without delay.
The APC began sale of nomination forms on April 28, 2026, with screenings held between May 8 and May 10. Appeals are scheduled for May 12 and 13, while governorship primaries will hold on May 21, 2026.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed January 16, 2027, for presidential and National Assembly elections, and February 6, 2027, for governorship and state assembly polls.