In a significant development for Rivers State politics, the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives screening committee has disqualified three incumbent federal lawmakers aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The affected lawmakers are now barred from contesting the party’s primaries scheduled for Saturday, May 15. Meanwhile, all allies of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, have received clearance to participate.
The decision, detailed in an official list released by the APC, represents a major setback for Governor Fubara. Those disqualified include Hon. Anderson Allison, representing Okrika/Ogu/Bolo; Hon. Abiante Awaji Imombek, representing Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro; and Hon. Boma Goodhead, representing Asari-Toru/Akuku-Toru. All three are known supporters of the governor.
In contrast, the screening committee approved several key Wike allies for the primaries. Among those cleared are Hon. Hart Cyril Godwin (Bonny/Degema), Hon. Blessing Chisery Amadi (Port Harcourt), Hon. Dumnamene R. Detor (Gokana/Khana), and Hon. Martin Amaewhule, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Amaewhule is stepping in to replace O.K. Chinda, who purchased APC governorship nomination forms. Other cleared individuals include Hon. Solomon Bob, Hon. Uche Felix Nwaeke, and Hon. Victor Chukwuemele Obuzor. Additional allies of the minister have also been approved to replace the three disqualified lawmakers.