The recently reinstated leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has declared all nominations from the just-concluded party primaries in the state null and void.
It would be recalled that the primaries had produced Kingsley Chinda, an ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, as the APC governorship candidate in the state, following the withdrawal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Other allies of Wike, the immediate past governor of the state, also emerged as APC candidates for the 2027 national and state Houses of Assembly elections.
Reinstated Leadership Takes Action
The reinstated APC leadership in Rivers State has taken decisive action against the outcomes of the primaries, sacking all candidates who are loyal to Nyesom Wike. The decision has created tension within the party as the state prepares for the 2027 general elections.
The nullification of the primaries means that the party will have to conduct fresh primaries to select its candidates for the upcoming elections. This move is seen as a major setback for Wike's political influence in the state.
Background of the Crisis
The crisis within the Rivers State APC chapter has been ongoing for months, with factions loyal to Wike and Governor Fubara clashing over control of the party structure. The reinstatement of the leadership loyal to the national secretariat has now escalated the situation.
Political analysts believe that this development could further deepen the rift within the party and potentially affect its chances in the 2027 elections. The party's national leadership has yet to comment on the situation.
