The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced that 58 out of 65 Rivers State House of Assembly aspirants who were disqualified by the party's screening committee have appeared before the appeal committee. The meeting took place at the APC secretariat in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
Appeal Committee Chairman Speaks
Abdul Mahmud, chairman of the Rivers APC House of Assembly Appeal Committee, disclosed this during a press conference in Port Harcourt on Thursday, May 14. He confirmed that the appeal process is underway to address grievances from the disqualified aspirants.
This development comes amid the renewed political rivalry between Nyesom Wike, the immediate past governor of Rivers State, and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Wike recently stated in an interview that Fubara has reneged on their earlier agreement, which President Bola Tinubu witnessed.
Background of the Wike-Fubara Saga
Wike recalled that Fubara had promised not to seek re-election but later purchased the APC governorship form. The two leaders have been at odds since Fubara assumed office in 2023. Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has been accused of influencing the APC screening process, an allegation he denies, asserting that he is not a member of the ruling party.
Meanwhile, Fubara maintains that he remains a member of the APC, despite allegations that disqualified aspirants belong to his camp. This claim has sparked reactions from Nigerians.
Public Reactions
- Amarachi Nwoko: “Tonye Cole is the right choice for Governor because he puts regular people first and has already proven he will fight for them when it matters most. Not a government that is weak.”
- France: “Cowards die 10 times before their time. We need to carry out a DNA test on Sim Fubara to truly know if he has Ijaw blood in him. The Ijaw are not known to be cowards.”
- Toochukwu of Divine Mercy: “A man without balls. Wike's best decision in his entire life. I am waiting to see how Wike controls OK Chinda. Wait, Wike might be carrying a Bible like Emefiele when Tinubu loses in 2027.”
- Dennis Attah: “Wear Papas Cap and capping nonsense. It’s obvious Wike has defeated you. Why not throw in the towel and stop with the circus show? At this point, e be like say you just carry Rivers people dey play.”
The APC appeal committee continues its work as the political drama in Rivers State unfolds.
