By Kolawole Omotola Olaide
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday paid a visit to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, at his Abuja residence.
Although details of the closed-door meeting were not officially disclosed, the visit has generated political interest following recent developments surrounding the screening of aspirants ahead of the Rivers State House of Assembly election.
The APC screening committee recently approved 33 aspirants while disqualifying 65 others from participating in the party’s assembly primaries in Rivers State.
The exercise reportedly affected aspirants believed to be loyal to Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, as well as supporters of former APC governorship candidate, Tonye Cole.
The screening panel, headed by former House of Representatives member Muraina Ajibola, reviewed documents submitted by the 98 aspirants who purchased nomination forms for the 32 assembly seats in the state.
According to findings from the committee, several aspirants were disqualified over issues ranging from alleged inducement and attempted bribery to incomplete documentation. Other reasons included failure to present valid voter cards, lack of party membership evidence,
submission of unsworn affidavits, conflicting birth records, and inconsistencies in nomination documents.
Political observers believe Wike’s visit to the APC chairman may not be unconnected with ongoing political realignments and tensions within Rivers State politics ahead of the 2027 elections.
The development continues to fuel speculation over the future of political alliances in the state as parties intensify preparations for upcoming electoral contests.
