Fresh political intrigues appeared to unfold around the Rivers State crisis on Tuesday as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, held a closed-door meeting with the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Yilwatda, at his Abuja residence.
Although details of the meeting were not officially disclosed at press time, MJConcept TV News reports that the development came amid mounting tension and last-minute political manoeuvres surrounding the future of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his loyalists within the APC structure in Rivers State.
The meeting coincided with fresh controversy arising from the mass disqualification of aspirants linked to Governor Fubara in the screening process for the Rivers State House of Assembly elections under the APC platform.
The development has further fuelled speculation of an intensifying political confrontation between Wike and Fubara, his estranged political godson and successor as Governor.
MJConcept TV News reports that the Rivers State APC House of Assembly Screening Appeal Committee, chaired by Abdul Mahmud, confirmed the disqualification of several aspirants believed to be loyal to the Governor.
According to the Committee, 33 aspirants who participated in the screening exercise were cleared, while 65 others were disqualified, with most of those affected allegedly linked to the Fubara camp.
The Committee also disclosed that at least 19 appeals had already been submitted by some of the disqualified aspirants, adding that the appeal process would close on Wednesday before the final list of cleared candidates is released.
Political observers believe the meeting between Wike and Yilwatda may not be unconnected to the unfolding power struggle in Rivers, especially amid growing speculation that forces opposed to Fubara are working to frustrate not only his loyalists but possibly his own political future ahead of the 2027 Governorship race.
The latest developments have revived memories of the bitter political war between both men after the breakdown of the alliance that brought Fubara to power in 2023.
Recall that Wike, though still formally a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), serves in the Cabinet of President Bola Tinubu and has repeatedly vowed that Fubara would not return as Governor.
With appeals still ongoing and political tensions rising, attention is now focused on whether the final screening outcome could deepen the crisis within Rivers APC and further complicate Governor Fubara’s political calculations ahead of 2027.