The ruling All Progressives Congress is reportedly making strategic moves to widen its political influence in Rivers State, with strong indications that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, may play a major role in determining the party’s governorship candidate ahead of the 2027 elections, despite being a prominent figure in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.
According to The Punch, the development follows a high-profile screening exercise conducted by the party, during which several loyalists of the minister appeared before a committee headed by APC Deputy National Chairman, Benjamin Nwoye. Among those screened were former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, and the Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly.
Officials within the party, who requested anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly on the matter, revealed on Sunday that the exercise was largely smooth for Chinda and Kelly, both of whom are widely regarded as close associates of Wike.
One of the insider, however, disclosed that there was a moment of tension during the process as Governor Siminalayi Fubara was allegedly treated coldly by the governorship screening panel reportedly led by APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda.
He stated, “Chinda and Kelly appeared before the screening committee. The screening exercise for the two Rivers State governorship aspirants was, from all indications, hitch-free.
"In Abuja, they presented their credentials and answered questions like other aspirants. The process was smooth, as both men are loyalists of the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.
“The two were not previously members of the APC but only recently joined after defecting from the PDP. They were directed by Wike to obtain the APC governorship forms.
“When Fubara also appeared before the screening committee, his session was different. He was given a cold shoulder during the process. The party’s national chairman, who ordinarily would preside over the screening of governors seeking re-election or governors that are senatorial aspirants, was notably absent.
"Although other committee members conducted the exercise, Fubara’s screening was strangely very brief, the shortest among all governors screened."
The source further disclosed that although Governor Siminalayi Fubara was reportedly asked a number of questions during the screening, the attitude and disposition of members of the panel suggested that they were not favourably disposed toward him.
According to the insider, the situation may not be unconnected to the governor’s frosty relationship with his predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who is said to enjoy the backing of President Bola Tinubu as well as the leadership of the All Progressives Congress.
The source also claimed that the APC leadership at the national level had effectively handed control of the party’s structure in Rivers State to Wike in line with the preference of the Presidency.
Under such an arrangement, the insider alleged that any aspirant supported by the minister — including Kingsley Chinda, Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly, or another loyalist — would likely secure the party’s governorship ticket. The source added that the composition of the aspirants screened so far reflects the minister’s growing influence within the party.
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