The former Deputy Governor of Rivers State and serving Senator, Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has been disqualified from the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election for re-election.
Other Disqualified Aspirants
In a statement released by the party yesterday, other aspirants disqualified from participating in today’s primary election include Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, Dr Tamunobaabo Danagogo, a former Secretary to the Rivers State Government, and businessman Tein Jack-Rich, all from Rivers West Senatorial District.
Wike’s Allies Cleared
However, close allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, including Felix Obuah (Rivers West), Allwell Onyeaso (Rivers South-East), Osaro Onaiwu, and Barry Mbara, were cleared to contest the primaries.
Although the party did not state reasons for the disqualifications, political observers alleged that the action may not be unconnected with perceived disloyalty to the FCT minister.
Allegations of Political Motives
A House of Assembly aspirant in the APC, who spoke in confidence, alleged that Banigo’s disqualification may be linked to her neutral stance during the political crisis between Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara. According to the source, Fubara, who is from Rivers West Senatorial District, was allegedly not openly supported by Banigo during the crisis.
“Though she served as Wike’s deputy for eight years and later became senator through his support, she did not approve of the manner Fubara was allegedly treated,” the source claimed.
The source added that Danagogo may have suffered a similar fate for failing to publicly align with Wike during the political crisis. “He served as Secretary to the State Government under both Wike and Fubara, but was not visibly supportive of Wike during the crisis period,” the source alleged.
Warning of Internal Crisis
Reacting to the development, a human rights activist, Solomon Lenu, warned that the disqualifications could trigger an internal crisis within the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
House of Representatives Primaries Winners
Meanwhile, the committee overseeing the APC House of Representatives primaries in Rivers State has declared winners for the party’s 13 federal constituencies ahead of the 2027 general elections. Chairman of the committee, Wahab Owokoniran, announced the results on Saturday at the collation centre located at the APC State Secretariat along Aba Road, Port Harcourt.
According to him, Dumnamene Robinson Deekor emerged winner of the Gokana/Khana Federal Constituency primary with 17,073 votes, defeating Israel Lebura Ngbuelo, who polled 1,220 votes. Deekor is currently representing the constituency in the House of Representatives.
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, also secured the APC ticket for Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency. Amaewhule is regarded as a close ally of Wike.
In Port Harcourt Federal Constituency I, Precious Igwe, who was unopposed, polled 5,885 votes to clinch the ticket, while Blessing Amadi emerged winner for Port Harcourt II Federal Constituency.
Hart Cyril Godwin won the Bonny/Degema Federal Constituency primary after defeating Philmoore Tombodiea Tony, while Felix Uche Nwaeke secured 18,605 votes to emerge as the candidate for Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo Federal Constituency.
Similarly, Isobo Solomon won the Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru Federal Constituency primary, while Linda Somiari-Steward, currently representing Okrika Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, emerged as the winner for Okrika/Ogu/Bolo Federal Constituency.
