The political future of Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, remains uncertain after he was absent as the All Progressives Congress (APC) concluded its screening of governors and other aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The exercise, which is part of preparations for party primaries, was conducted by a committee chaired by Nentawe Yilwatda. It featured 14 governors seeking re-election or other elective positions on the APC platform, alongside other political office seekers.
Governors screened include Abba Yusuf, Inuwa Yahaya, Nasir Idris, Caleb Mutfwang and Hyacinth Alia, Francis Nwifuru, Sheriff Oborevwori, Umar Bago, Dauda Lawal, Bassey Otu, Ahmed Aliyu, and others.
Also screened was Stanley Osifo, the sole challenger to President Bola Tinubu for the party’s presidential ticket.
Fubara’s absence has further fueled speculation about his standing within the APC, especially amid his prolonged political rift with his predecessor and political rival, Nyesom Wike, the FCT Minister. The dispute over control of Rivers State politics has drawn repeated intervention from the Presidency.
While Wike has openly opposed Fubara’s second-term ambition, efforts by political stakeholders to reconcile both camps have yet to yield a lasting solution.
However, Yilwatda explained that Fubara’s absence was not unusual, noting that governors with official state duties were excused and would be rescheduled within the screening window.
Meanwhile, APC aspirants in Rivers State have who obtained their expression of interest and nomination forms appeared for the screening ahead of the governorship primaries slated for May 21.
