Fresh tension has erupted within the All Progressives Congress following the outcome of the party’s House of Representatives primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections, with at least 26 serving lawmakers reportedly losing their return tickets.
Among the affected lawmakers were Iduma Igariwey, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, Anderson Allison and Boma Goodhead.
Other aspirants reportedly affected by the screening and primary process included Adefisoye Tajudeen, Olusegun Ategbole, Seun Ajongbolo, Arowole Ayodeji, Morufu Ibrahim, Oseni Oyeniyi, Olaleye Adedipe, Bashir Bello, Sanni Ogembe and retired Air Commodore John Opara.
Rivers APC Crisis Deepens
The disqualification of several political figures in Rivers State has further intensified the already growing crisis within the APC in the state.
The party structure in Rivers has remained sharply divided between loyalists of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Also reportedly disqualified was serving senator Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, who currently represents Rivers West Senatorial District and previously served as deputy governor under Wike’s administration.
Other notable figures affected include former presidential aspirant Tein Jackrich, Director of Energy Security in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, and former Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo.
Sources within the party who spoke to Punch linked the wave of disqualifications to the ongoing political power struggle between the Wike and Fubara factions ahead of the 2027 elections.
Despite the controversies, the APC reportedly cleared some politicians widely regarded as allies of Wike, including former PDP state chairman Felix Obuah and Senator Allwell Onyesoh.
Reacting to the development, Rivers APC Publicity Secretary, Chibike Ikenga, stated that the screening list had already received approval from the party’s national secretariat and urged members to comply with the outcome.
However, some party loyalists accused the APC leadership of weaponising the screening process to weaken perceived political opponents within the party.
“The screening process is being used to settle political scores ahead of 2027. It is no longer about competence or popularity,” a party source alleged.
The latest development has further exposed deepening cracks within the APC as political camps continue positioning for influence and control ahead of the next general elections.
