The ruling All Progressives Congress is positioning allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to play a key role in determining the party’s governorship candidate in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections, according to party sources.
The development followed a screening exercise for governorship aspirants in Abuja, where former House of Representatives Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, and Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly, both considered allies of Wike, appeared before a committee chaired by APC Deputy National Chairman, Benjamin Nwoye.
Sources within the party said tension surrounded the screening of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, who allegedly received what they described as a “cold shoulder” from the committee.
One correspondent at the venue, the Plateau State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, observed Fubara leaving the screening venue shortly after arriving on Sunday.
When approached by journalists, the governor declined to comment.
The APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, who presided over the exercise in the absence of APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, said the committee’s report would be released after the exercise.
The APC began the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms on April 28, with the process ending May 6. Screening of governors seeking re-election or other offices started May 8 and concluded May 10.
The party is expected to release screening reports on Monday, while appeals are scheduled for May 12 and May 13.
The APC adopted both consensus and direct primary modes for its primaries in line with the Electoral Act 2025. Governorship primaries are scheduled for May 21, while the presidential primary is slated for May 23.
The Independent National Electoral Commission fixed Jan. 16, 2027, for presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and state assembly elections are scheduled for Feb. 6, 2027.
According to INEC, political parties are expected to conduct primaries and resolve disputes between April 23 and May 30, 2026.
Fubara has been locked in a prolonged political dispute with his predecessor, Wike, over control of political structures in Rivers State.
Party sources said Fubara obtained APC governorship nomination forms through a proxy, despite Wike’s opposition to his second-term ambition.
Wike, a factional leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, has repeatedly stated that Fubara would not return for a second term and has pledged that his political camp would produce the next governor of Rivers State.
Sources within the APC said Wike now controls both APC and PDP structures in Rivers State through what he describes as a “Rainbow Coalition.”
One source said the APC leadership and the Presidency were backing Wike’s influence in the state.
“The APC national leadership has given the minister control of the party structure in Rivers State,” the source said, adding that aspirants loyal to Wike were likely to emerge from the primaries.
The source also claimed Fubara’s screening session was unusually brief compared to those of other governors.
However, an aide to Fubara dismissed reports of tension, saying the governor was quickly cleared by the committee because he is an incumbent governor.
“The governor has been cleared. There was nothing much to ask him,” the aide said.
Other governors screened by the APC committee included Abba Kabir Yusuf, Inuwa Yahaya, Nasir Idris, Caleb Mutfwang, Hyacinth Alia, Francis Nwifuru and Sheriff Oborevwori.
Several governorship aspirants from other states also described their screening exercises as smooth and transparent.
A Taraba governorship aspirant, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, backed direct primaries, describing them as more democratic.
Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies and Kwara governorship aspirant, Abubakar Sulieman, supported consensus arrangements provided clear criteria are used.
Kwara State House of Assembly Speaker and governorship aspirant, Yakubu Salihu, expressed confidence in his ambition.
A Bauchi governorship aspirant, Nura Manu, said his proposed N100bn fund was aimed at boosting agriculture and small businesses, not security operations.
Retired military officer and Plateau APC governorship aspirant, Yilchini Jan Bida, described the screening as transparent and expressed confidence in emerging as the party’s candidate.
