The All Progressives Congress in Rivers State on Saturday concluded its House of Representatives primaries with Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and other loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, emerging victorious across the 13 federal constituencies.
The exercise followed the earlier disqualification of four aspirants believed to be loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, including three serving members of the House of Representatives.
Results of the primaries were announced at the APC state secretariat in Port Harcourt by the Chairman of the House of Representatives Primary Election Committee, Wahab Owokoniran.
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, led by the Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Johnson Sinikiem, monitored the collation and declaration process.
Amaewhule, who emerged unopposed for Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency 1, secured 17,968 votes to clinch the party’s ticket for the 2027 general election.
Declaring the result, Owokoniran said the speaker satisfied the requirements of the APC constitution and guidelines.
Similarly, Igwe Precious emerged unopposed in Port Harcourt Federal Constituency 1 after polling 5,885 votes.
In Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency, serving lawmaker Dumnamene Dekor defeated Israel Ngbuelo after polling 17,073 votes against his rival’s 1,220 votes.
For Degema-Bonny Federal Constituency, Cyril Hart won the ticket with 7,203 votes, defeating Philemon Tombodiea, who scored 1,020 votes.
Felix Nweke also emerged as the APC candidate for Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo Federal Constituency after securing 18,605 votes as sole aspirant.
In Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru Federal Constituency, Isobo Solomon defeated Luke Enerine with 11,303 votes to 954.
Other winners announced by the party included Chukwuemele Obuzor for Ahoada West/Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni, Fredrick Apiafi for Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro, Chibuzor Nwamaka for Etche/Omuma, Joy Nyebuchi for Ikwerre/Emuoha, Blessing Amadi for Port Harcourt Constituency 2, Linda Steward for Okrika/Ogu-Bolo and Solomon Bob for Abua-Odual/Ahoada East Federal Constituency.
Speaking after the exercise, Owokoniran described the primaries as peaceful and orderly, expressing surprise at the calm atmosphere despite widespread perceptions of political tension in Rivers State.
“We have declared all the federal constituency results, and the entire process was peaceful. Contrary to the impression outside, there was no violence or disruption,” he said.
He commended party members for their conduct and expressed optimism that the APC would perform strongly in the 2027 general elections in the state.
Also reacting, the APC Publicity Secretary in Rivers State, Chibike Ikenga, urged the victorious aspirants to remain humble and work towards uniting the party ahead of the general election.
He said the party would engage aggrieved aspirants to ensure internal harmony and strengthen the APC’s chances at the polls.
Ikenga noted that victory at the primaries did not automatically guarantee success at the general election, urging the candidates to rally support across the state.
Saturday’s exercise was largely dominated by politicians aligned with Wike, many of whom are members of the “Rainbow Coalition” or “Joint Coalition,” a political alliance reportedly created to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid in Rivers State.