Rivers Politics Heat Up As APC Clears Fubara For Governorship Primary Battle

Published May 9, 2026 at 10:33 PM

Siminalayi Fubara has been cleared by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to participate in the party’s governorship primary scheduled for May 21.

Fubara was screened and approved by the APC screening committee during an exercise held on Saturday at the Plateau Governors’ Lodge in Abuja.

The Rivers governor was among 17 incumbent governors whose credentials and eligibility were reviewed by the committee ahead of the party’s primaries.

The development comes amid growing political tension in Rivers State following recent comments by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, regarding the 2027 governorship race.

Speaking during his monthly media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike stated that he had not endorsed any aspirant for the Rivers governorship election.

“I haven’t endorsed anybody. And I can’t endorse anybody until the joint coalition meets,” he said.

Despite his denial, there have been speculations that Wike may eventually support former Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Alabo Dakorinama George-Kelly, for the governorship contest.

Reports also claimed that the former governor settled on George-Kelly after a private meeting with key political stakeholders in Port Harcourt earlier in the week.

Political observers believe the upcoming APC governorship primary could become a major test of influence among rival political blocs in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections.