Fresh political intrigue appears to be unfolding around the Rivers State crisis following a closed-door meeting between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Yilwatda, at Wike’s Abuja residence on Tuesday.
Although details of the meeting were not officially disclosed as of press time, the development has triggered fresh speculation over the political future of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his loyalists within the APC structure in Rivers State.
The meeting comes amid mounting tension and what many political observers describe as last-minute manoeuvres over the control of the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
It also coincided with fresh controversy surrounding the mass disqualification of aspirants linked to Governor Fubara during the screening process for the Rivers State House of Assembly elections under the APC platform.
The development has further intensified speculation of a renewed political confrontation between Wike and Fubara, his estranged political ally and successor.
Verily 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 aligned with the governor.
According to the committee, out of 98 aspirants screened, 33 were cleared while 65 were disqualified, with a majority of those affected reportedly belonging to the Fubara camp.
The committee also revealed that no fewer than 19 appeals had already been lodged by some of the affected aspirants.
It added that the appeal process would close on Wednesday before the final list of successful candidates is released.
The timing of the meeting between Wike and Yilwatda has heightened political tension, with many analysts linking it to the ongoing power struggle in Rivers State.
There is growing speculation that forces opposed to Governor Fubara may be working to frustrate his political structure and possibly weaken his chances ahead of the 2027 governorship contest.
The latest developments have revived memories of the fierce political fallout between both men following the collapse of the alliance that brought Fubara to power in 2023.
Despite remaining formally a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, Wike currently serves as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The former Rivers governor has repeatedly insisted that Fubara would not secure a second term.
With the appeal process still ongoing, attention is now firmly on the final screening outcome and whether it could trigger a deeper crisis within the Rivers APC.
Political stakeholders are closely watching how the unfolding events may shape the balance of power in the state ahead of the 2027 elections.
What You Should Know
The meeting between Nyesom Wike and APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda comes at a critical moment in Rivers State politics.
The mass disqualification of aspirants linked to Governor Siminalayi Fubara has raised fresh concerns about internal power struggles within the APC.
Many see the development as part of a broader effort to weaken Fubara’s political structure ahead of 2027.
Given Wike’s continued influence in Rivers politics despite his federal appointment, the final outcome of the screening appeals could significantly reshape the political landscape and determine whether reconciliation or a deeper factional crisis lies ahead.
