Fresh political tension is mounting in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 governorship election following the absence of Governor Siminalayi Fubara from the All Progressives Congress (APC) screening exercise in Abuja, even as political actors aligned with his predecessor intensify manoeuvres within the party.
Fubara’s failure to appear before the APC screening committee has triggered renewed speculation over his political direction, especially amid his prolonged power struggle with former governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Although reports suggest that some Rivers political stakeholders procured nomination forms on his behalf, the governor was absent from the screening session, deepening uncertainty over whether he intends to formally pursue the APC governorship ticket.
The situation has further complicated the already tense political atmosphere in Rivers, where both camps continue to jostle for control of the state’s political structure ahead of 2027.
Adding a new twist to the unfolding drama, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, was reportedly among those who obtained APC governorship nomination forms despite being a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Former Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja, alleged that Chinda’s name appeared on the official list of aspirants who purchased forms for the governorship contest.
Speaking on a Port Harcourt radio station, Gogo-Jaja claimed he personally sighted the records during the submission process.
“As we speak, O.K. Chinda is the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, yet he bought a governorship nomination form in the APC,” he said.
He also maintained that his involvement in the submission process gave him access to the relevant documentation.
Another aspirant said to have entered the race is former Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Das George-Kelly, further widening the field of contenders.
Meanwhile, sources within the APC confirmed that some influential Rivers politicians, including House of Representatives member Awaji-Inombek Abiante, were involved in facilitating the purchase of nomination forms for Fubara, although it remains unclear whether the governor personally endorsed the move.
The APC screening exercise, which is part of preparations for the party’s 2027 primaries, continues to generate political tension across states, with Rivers emerging as one of the most closely watched battlegrounds.
Chairman of the APC screening committee and National Chairman of the party, Nentawe Yilwatda, said governors who missed the exercise were excused due to official responsibilities.
“Three governors have not come. All of them have their reasons for not appearing, and we know they are chief executives of their states with state responsibilities,” he stated.
He added that such governors would be accommodated within the screening timeline if they are available.
The APC also screened its presidential aspirants during the exercise, including challenger Stanley Osifo, who described the process as fair but competitive.
Osifo said he remained in the race despite the party’s endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The party had earlier fixed its governorship primaries for May 21 and presidential primary for May 23, ahead of the 2027 general elections scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
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