Political tensions in Rivers State intensified over the weekend following reactions to the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections, where several politicians believed to be aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, emerged victorious.
The development drew public attention after Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Adviser on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT minister, reacted to the results through a statement shared on his official X account on Sunday, May 17, 2026.
In his post, Olayinka openly celebrated the success of candidates considered loyal to Wike, a move that immediately sparked fresh conversations about the continuing political influence of the former Rivers State governor within the state’s political structure.
Among those declared winners was Martins Amaewhule, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, alongside several other lawmakers and political figures associated with the pro-Wike political bloc in the state.
The APC primary results were announced by the returning officer for the Rivers State House of Representatives primaries, Professor Wahab Owokoniran, who also serves as Chancellor of the University of Transportation in Daura, Katsina State.
The announcement came only hours after reports emerged that four politicians believed to be loyal to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara had been disqualified from participating in the primaries, a development that immediately generated controversy among party supporters and political observers.
The disqualification of the governor’s allies fueled speculation about internal political maneuvering within the party and deepened existing divisions between supporters of Governor Fubara and those aligned with Wike.
Although there has been no official evidence directly linking the FCT minister to the outcome of the primaries or the disqualification of the affected aspirants, Olayinka’s celebratory remarks strengthened perceptions among observers that Wike’s political camp played a significant role in shaping the outcome of the exercise.
Political analysts noted that the statements coming from the minister’s media aide suggested confidence within the pro-Wike camp regarding the control and direction of the APC structure in Rivers State.
The latest development is widely seen as another chapter in the prolonged political rivalry between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Wike, whose relationship deteriorated months after Fubara assumed office as governor.
Since the fallout between both political figures began, Rivers State has remained a major battleground for competing political interests, with repeated confrontations involving lawmakers, party loyalists, and supporters from both camps….See More
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