Rivers APC denies favoring Governor Wike’s loyalists in the screening.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has refuted claims that aspirants aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike received preferential treatment during the party’s screening for House of Assembly candidates.

The party also rejected allegations that aspirants perceived to be loyal to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara were denied clearance.

Speaking to reporters at the APC secretariat in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, state Publicity Secretary Chibuike Ikenga described the accusations as “misleading and unfair.”

He noted that Wike is not a member of the APC and had no role in the screening process.

“The FCT minister is not a member of our party, and bringing him into what we are doing in our party is not fair. So bringing in to say whether people who were cleared or uncleared belong to his own group or team, it does not fall in here properly,” Ikenga said.

Ikenga added that, although Wike has publicly expressed support for President Bola Tinubu, that endorsement should not be linked to the outcomes of the party’s internal exercise.

He affirmed that the screening was conducted peacefully and transparently, with 33 aspirants cleared and 65 not cleared out of a total of 98 participants.

The APC has established an appeal committee to address complaints from aggrieved aspirants, and the process has continued without interruption.

Chairman of the Appeal Committee Abdul Mahmud said the panel received a comprehensive report on the screening, confirming that 98 aspirants took part in the exercise.

Mahmud explained that the committee is reviewing petitions from affected aspirants and expects to conclude its sittings on May 13, 2026.

He noted that some aspirants who failed to submit required documents during the screening were given a final opportunity to do so before the appeal period ends, and that the committee placed greater weight on documentary evidence than on oral claims when assessing petitions.

Andoni Constituency aspirant Gogo Friday complained that the party had not formally communicated the reasons for his non‑clearance, despite his purchase of nomination forms and participation in the screening. He said he was told that some of his nominators were not financial members of the party and that inconsistencies in the names on his documents also affected his status.

Obio/Akpor Constituency II aspirant Atuzie Collins said he was initially disqualified because of a spelling error on his voter’s card. He later swore an affidavit to correct the mistake, arguing that the error should not have led to his disqualification.