Appeal Committee Upholds Disqualification of Fubara Loyalists in Rivers APC
The Rivers State APC House of Assembly Screening Appeal Committee has confirmed the disqualification of 65 aspirants linked to Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Following the initial screening exercise held on Saturday, only 33 aspirants were cleared to participate in the upcoming party primaries, while the vast majority—identified as the Governor’s loyalists—were barred. The Committee, led by Chairman Abdul Mahmud, addressed journalists on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, to provide an update on the internal party process.
Despite the mass disqualification, the committee noted that the window for recourse remains open. Mahmud confirmed that 19 formal appeals have already been submitted by dissatisfied aspirants seeking to overturn their disqualification. He clarified that the deadline for filing such petitions is Wednesday, May 13, 2026. The committee is expected to review these cases to determine if the initial screening panel followed the party’s guidelines or if any of the barred candidates can rectify the discrepancies found in their documentation.
The final list of cleared candidates for the 2027 State House of Assembly primary elections will be released only after the appeal period elapses and all petitions have been adjudicated. This development underscores the continuing internal struggle for control of the Rivers State APC structure. For now, the disqualifications stand, significantly limiting the Governor’s influence within the party’s legislative ticket as the 2027 election cycle approaches.
