Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike visited the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, at his residence in Abuja yesterday. Although the specifics of the meeting remain undisclosed, it is widely believed to be linked to the ongoing political turmoil in Rivers State.
Disqualification of Fubara's Loyalists
The visit comes after the screening committee disqualified aspirants loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara who were seeking to contest the Rivers State House of Assembly primaries. This development has reignited the conflict between Fubara and his predecessor, Wike.
Speculations on Fubara's Re-election
There are growing speculations that Governor Fubara may also be disqualified from seeking re-election under the APC. Wike, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who serves in President Bola Tinubu's cabinet, has previously stated that Fubara will not return as governor.
APC Appeal Panel Receives 19 Petitions
Meanwhile, the Rivers State APC House of Assembly Screening Appeal Committee, chaired by Abdul Mahmud, has confirmed the disqualification of aspirants linked to Fubara. Out of 98 aspirants who participated in the screening exercise on Saturday, 33 were cleared while 65 were disqualified. The disqualified aspirants have been identified as Fubara's loyalists.
Addressing journalists yesterday, Mahmud confirmed that the panel has received 19 appeals from some of the disqualified aspirants. He stated that the submission of appeals will close on Wednesday, after which the final list of cleared aspirants will be released.
Mahmud emphasized that the appeal process began on Tuesday and will officially end on Wednesday, May 13. The panel will then review and determine the petitions submitted by the affected aspirants before announcing the final list.
