Wike loyalists dominate As APC clears 33 aspirants for Rivers Assembly primaries, 65 disqualified

The screening exercise for aspirants seeking the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Rivers State House of Assembly election has been concluded, with 33 aspirants cleared to contest in the party primaries while 65 others were disqualified.

The screening committee’s report, released on Monday, confirmed a sharp reduction in the number of eligible aspirants following weeks of vetting and internal assessments ahead of the forthcoming primaries.

A major highlight of the screening exercise was the clearance of all 29 serving lawmakers widely regarded as loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Their clearance signals strong continuity for the political bloc within the state assembly structure as the APC prepares for its internal primaries.

The report also revealed that the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, has picked a nomination form to contest for a seat in the House of Representatives.

Amaewhule’s move marks a significant political shift, as he transitions from state legislative leadership to a bid for national representation.

Although the full list of disqualified aspirants was not disclosed, the screening committee cited multiple reasons for exclusion, including non-compliance with party guidelines, documentation issues, and failure to meet prescribed eligibility requirements.

The committee maintained that the screening process was conducted in line with APC’s internal rules and electoral guidelines to ensure credible and transparent primaries.

Political observers say the outcome of the screening exercise underscores ongoing realignments within Rivers State’s political structure, particularly within the APC’s camp.

A Port Harcourt-based political analyst, Dr. Emmanuel Okechukwu, said the clearance pattern reflects consolidation within a dominant faction.

“The full clearance of Wike-aligned lawmakers shows a strong internal structure within that bloc. It also suggests that the APC in Rivers is still heavily influenced by existing political power centres,” he said.

Another analyst, Blessing Eze, noted that the high number of disqualifications could reshape local political dynamics ahead of the primaries.

“With 65 aspirants out of the race, the competition has been significantly narrowed. This will likely intensify internal negotiations and influence who eventually secures party tickets,” she said.

With the screening exercise concluded, attention now shifts to the APC primaries in Rivers State, where cleared aspirants will contest for party tickets ahead of the general elections.

Party officials say the process is part of efforts to streamline candidacy selection and strengthen internal democracy within the party structure.

The primaries are expected to be closely watched, given the strategic importance of Rivers State in Nigeria’s broader political landscape.