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The All Progressives Congress has disqualified four loyalists of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, from participating in the party’s House of Representatives primaries scheduled for May 16, 2026, further deepening political tensions within the state chapter of the party. 
According to the final list released by the APC and confirmed by the party’s Rivers State Publicity Secretary, Chibike Ikenga, those disqualified include serving House of Representatives members Awaji-Inombek Abiante and Boma Goodhead. Also excluded from the primaries are retired Air Commodore John Opera and Anderson Igbiki. Abiante is widely regarded as one of the prominent political allies of Governor Fubara and had earlier purchased governorship nomination forms for him. 
Meanwhile, 21 aspirants were cleared by the party to contest the primaries, including Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker Martin Amaewhule, who is seeking the APC ticket for the Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency seat. Amaewhule is considered one of the leading loyalists of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and is aiming to replace current House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda. 
The latest development comes amid ongoing political rivalry between factions loyal to Fubara and Wike within Rivers politics, despite earlier reconciliation efforts encouraged by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The APC screening exercises in Rivers have increasingly been viewed as reflecting the continuing power struggle between both camps ahead of the 2027 general elections. 
