The All Progressives Congress (APC) has disqualified four loyalists of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara from contesting the party’s House of Representatives primaries scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2026. The development was contained in the final list of aspirants released by the party and made available to journalists in Port Harcourt.
Among those disqualified are two serving members of the House of Representatives, Awaji-Inombek Abiante and Boma Goodhead. Abiante and Goodhead are regarded as key allies of Fubara and have remained vocal in their support for the governor since the political rift between him and his estranged political godfather, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Abiante is also said to be among stakeholders who purchased the governorship nomination form for Fubara.
Others disqualified are retired Air Commodore John Opuene and Hon. Anderson Igbiki.
Meanwhile, 21 aspirants, including Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, were cleared by the party to contest the primaries. Amaewhule, who is seeking to represent Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, is aiming to replace the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda.
The APC State Publicity Secretary, Chibike Ikenga, confirmed the list of cleared and disqualified aspirants in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday. The statement, titled “Final List of Aspirants for the House of Representatives Primary Election for Saturday, 16th May, 2026,” said the list was released by the national leadership of the party and advised aspirants to comply accordingly.
Part of the statement read: “You are by this notice informed of the release of the final list of aspirants for the House of Representatives primary election of our great party, the APC, scheduled for 16th May, 2026, as released by the National Leadership of the Party. Aspirants are kindly advised to note and comply accordingly. This information must be taken seriously in view of the election as scheduled.”
