PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria — Loyalists of Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, secured majority tickets during the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primaries conducted across Rivers State on Saturday, May 16, 2026.
Nigeria’s All Progressives Congress National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, and the National Vice Chairman (South-South), Victor Giadom, monitored the distribution of materials at the state secretariat while Okay News reports that Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, clinched the Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency ticket. Blessing Amadi, representing Port Harcourt Federal Constituency, secured the ticket for re-election, while Hart Cyril Godwin won for Bonny/Degema Federal Constituency. The party cleared 19 aspirants across the 13 federal constituencies and disqualified 4 individuals, including John Azubuike Opara, Anderson Allison Igbiki (rtd), Awaji-Inombek Abiante, and Boma Goodhead, who represents Asari-Toru/Akuku-Toru Federal Constituency.
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, saw his allies excluded from the process as tension led to some members leaving the party. Legborsi Yamaabana, a house of assembly aspirant and youth leader, announced his exit from the APC, describing the screening process as fundamentally flawed and skewed in favor of Wike’s loyalists. Heavy police presence was maintained at the state secretariat to prevent disruptions during the distribution of electoral materials.
In Delta State, Erhitake Suenu Ibori, the daughter of a former governor, won the Ethiope Federal Constituency primary. Nigeria’s House of Representatives member Francis Waive won in Ughelli South/Ughelli North/Udu Federal Constituency, and Thomas Ereyitomi won in Warri Federal Constituency. Ramson Onoyake emerged victorious in Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency, while Basil Ganagana defeated Nicolas Mutu in Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency. Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, cast his vote in Okpe Local Government Area and said he was impressed with the peaceful conduct of the primaries across the state.
Bayelsa State recorded a peaceful exercise where Oboku Oforji led in the Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency primary. Oforji received 2,565 votes in Sampou/Kalama Ward 6, where Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, was present. Jude Rex Ogboku emerged as a candidate for Ogbia Ward 1 after receiving more than 3,700 votes. Diri attributed the peaceful conduct to unity within the party and noted that the APC in the state had closed ranks.
Edo State reported successful primaries across 18 local government areas with candidates backed by party leadership. Oladele Bankole-Balogun won the Akoko-Edo Federal Constituency ticket with 3,368 votes, defeating Paul Afeghase and Adetutu Owolabi. Other winners included Dr. Paddy Iyamu for Oredo, Omosede Igbinedion for Ovia, and Anamero Dakeri for Etsako.
Aggrieved aspirants in Cross River State described the exercise as a failure of democratic standards. Godwin Offiono, an aspirant for Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency, said he could neither vote nor sight materials in his ward, yet results were announced. Emil Inyang, an aspirant for Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency, rejected the process and stated that no stakeholders’ meeting was held to agree on consensus candidates.
