APC Reps primaries: Wike loyalists sweep Rivers; crises, claims of imposition rock S-South states

* Fubara allies allege witch-hunt, dump party

Bayelsa, Edo primaries peaceful, orderly

C/River aspirants decry ‘charade’, threaten fallout

By Samuel Oyadongha, Jimitota Onoyume, Egufe Yafugborhi, Ozioruva Aliu, Dan Abia, Emem Idio, Akuopha Ochuko, Emma Una & Ike Uchechukwu

Discontent trailed the APC House of Representatives primaries in Rivers State, as loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, tightened their grip on the party’s tickets, leaving allies of Governor Siminalayi Fubara sidelined.

Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, a known ally of Wike, clinched the Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency ticket after primaries conducted across the 17 wards, yesterday.

Also, Blessing Amadi, representing Port Harcourt Federal Constituency, secured the party’s ticket to seek re-election, while Hart Cyril Godwin is poised to fly the APC flag for Bonny/Degema Federal Constituency.

The party cleared 19 aspirants, largely seen as loyal to Wike, across the 13 federal constituencies, while disqualifying four aspirants, including serving lawmakers believed to be sympathetic to Governor Fubara.

Among those disqualified are John Azubuike Opara, Anderson Allison Igbiki (rtd), Awaji-Inombek Abiante and Boma Goodhead, a serving member representing Asari-Toru/Akuku-Toru Federal Constituency.

Cleared aspirants included Amaewhule, Linda Somiari-Steward, Dumnamene Dekor, Felix Nwaeke, Victor Obuzor, Solomon Bob and others across the constituencies.

Top party figures, including APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, National Vice Chairman (South-South), Victor Giadom, and others monitored the exercise in parts of the state.

Despite the adoption of direct primaries, observers noted that consensus arrangements prevailed in several constituencies.

Security was tight at the APC state secretariat in Port Harcourt, where electoral materials were distributed, with heavy police presence mounted to forestall disruptions.

However, tension escalated following the earlier disqualification of about 65 House of Assembly aspirants reportedly loyal to Fubara, a development critics described as a calculated move to weaken the governor’s camp.

Some aggrieved members have begun defecting. A House of Assembly aspirant and youth leader, Legborsi Yamaabana, announced his exit from the APC, describing the screening process as fundamentally flawed and skewed in favour of Wike’s loyalists.

Delta: Suenu Ibori, Waive, Onoyake , Ereyitomi, Ganagana   win

Member of the House of Representatives representing Ethiope Federal constituency, Rt Hon Erhitake Suenu Ibori,   the member representing Ughelli south/Ughelli North / Udu federal constituency Hon Francis Waive and Hon Thomas Ereyitomi representing Warri federal constituency   won their primaries.

Also   the immediate past Chairman of Uvwie local government area , Hon Ramson Onoyake won in   Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency. Hon Basil Ganagana won in Bomadi / Patani federal constituency, defeating Hon Nicolas Mutu, the longest serving member in the House of Representatives.  

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori who spoke in Okpe local government area after casting his vote said he was impressed with the peaceful conduct of the   primaries across the state.

Hon Erhitake who is the daughter of former governor   of the state, Chief James Ibori   expressed gratitude to all her supporters after emerging winner of the   Ethiope Federal constituency.

Bayelsa: Peaceful, orderly exercise

In Bayelsa State, the APC primaries were largely peaceful and orderly across monitored wards.

At Epie wards 1–4 in Yenagoa Local Government Area, party members turned out early, with the process proceeding smoothly. The incumbent lawmaker representing Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency, Oboku Oforji, was leading as at the time of filing this report.

Some members commended the transparency of the exercise, describing it as one of the most peaceful in recent times, although a few expressed disappointment over the absence of inducements.

At Sampou/Kalama Ward 6, Oforji was unanimously endorsed by 2,565 party members, including Governor Douye Diri.

Diri attributed the peaceful conduct to unity within the party, noting that the APC in the state had closed ranks ahead of the general elections.

Similarly, in Ogbia Ward 1, Jude Rex Ogboku emerged as consensus candidate after polling over 3,700 votes.

Cross River: ‘Charade, embarrassment’

In Cross River State, the exercise was marred by protests, with aggrieved aspirants describing the primaries as a “charade” and “embarrassment to democracy.”

Some National Assembly aspirants alleged that results were declared in certain areas without the arrival of electoral materials, in violation of the Electoral Act and party guidelines.

An aspirant for Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency, Godwin Offiono, said he could neither vote nor sight materials in his ward, yet results were announced.

He warned that such practices could undermine the party’s chances in the general elections.

Similarly, Emil Inyang, an aspirant for Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency, rejected the process, insisting no stakeholders’ meeting was held to agree on consensus candidates.

Findings indicated low awareness in several wards, with party members left stranded without officials or materials, raising concerns about the credibility of the exercise.

Edo: Smooth process, clear winners

In Edo State, reports from the 18 local government areas indicated a peaceful exercise, with candidates backed by party leadership emerging.

In Akoko-Edo Federal Constituency, Oladele Bankole-Balogun won with 3,368 votes, defeating Paul Afeghase and Adetutu Owolabi.

Party officials described the process as calm and well-coordinated, with results promptly announced.

In Oredo and Ovia constituencies, Dr. Paddy Iyamu and Omosede Igbinedion respectively emerged as candidates, while in Etsako, Anamero Dakeri was declared winner.

Across states, the APC primaries reflected a mix of dominance by party power blocs, peaceful consensus in some areas, and outright rejection in others—setting the stage for possible post-primary disputes ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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