TDGovernor Siminalayi Fubara has reportedly emerged as the sole aspirant to receive the All Progressives Congress (APC) certificate of clearance for the Rivers State governorship primaries, a development that has sent ripples across the state’s political landscape.
Party insiders confirmed that, as of mid-May 2026, no other aspirant has been issued the clearance document, effectively positioning Fubara as the frontrunner for the APC ticket ahead of the 2027 elections. The move is seen by many observers as a decisive shift in Rivers politics, consolidating Fubara’s influence within the party.
Silence from Wike’s Allies
Notably, allies of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike have remained conspicuously silent on the matter. While some of Wike’s political associates have reportedly been allocated House of Representatives seats, there has been no public challenge to Fubara’s clearance. Analysts suggest this may indicate a quiet, behind-the-scenes arrangement between the two camps, aimed at avoiding open confrontation while securing strategic positions for Wike’s loyalists.
Disqualification of Rivals
Sources within the APC screening committee revealed that several aspirants aligned with Wike were disqualified during the clearance process. Reasons cited included alleged irregularities in documentation, questions over party loyalty, and unresolved disciplinary issues. The disqualification of these rivals effectively cleared the path for Fubara, leaving him uncontested in the clearance stage.
Political commentators argue that the disqualification of Wike’s allies reflects the ongoing power struggle between the governor and his predecessor. While Wike remains a formidable figure nationally and within Rivers politics, the APC’s clearance decision appears to tilt the balance in Fubara’s favour.
Implications for 2027
Observers say the development signals a major realignment ahead of the 2027 governorship race. With Fubara holding the APC clearance, he appears to have secured a decisive edge in the unfolding battle for control of Rivers State. His camp has described the clearance as a “validation of his leadership and performance,” while opponents warn that the exclusion of other aspirants could deepen factional tensions within the party.
The APC leadership in Rivers has yet to issue a formal statement on the matter, but insiders insist that the clearance process was conducted in line with party rules. For now, the spotlight remains firmly on Governor Fubara, whose political trajectory has been strengthened by this latest development.
