The political camp of Barr Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has initiated moves to compete fully in the 2027 general elections in Rivers State despite the Supreme Court’s dismissal of the appeals of the People’s Democratic Faction (PDP) led by Wike.

The certified true copy (CTC) of the Supreme Court judgement, on the leadership crisis of the PDP released on May 9, 2026, appears as a setback for Wike, who planned to unleash governorship candidates in both the PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The political atmosphere in Port Harcourt lightened up yesterday as loyalists of Fubara and Wike were set to be screened by the screening committee at the APC Zonal Secretariat in GRA, Port Harcourt.

The screening committee will review candidates vying for the governorship, including Fubara, Architect Tonye Cole, Alabo Dax George Kelly, as well as the candidates for the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Across the state, especially in Port Harcourt, some political stakeholders, and commentators have been throwing subtle jibes at the FCT minister for being “partyless” and “greatly handicapped” to execute his 2027 plans.

Meanwhile, Fubara has been screened and cleared by the screening committee, telling him to take a bow, thereby making him a sure candidate for the May 21 primary election, just as the committee cleared Chinda.

The screening panel, noted the Governor’s “demonstrated loyalty” and his efforts in stabilizing Rivers State following the political upheavals of 2025. “His Excellency has shown that he is a team player and a true progressive.

In line with parliamentary and party tradition for serving governors with no established petitions against them, we asked him to simply bow and go”, a source within the APC Screening Committee said.

Fubara, who spoke to journalists after the screening, lauded the party leadership for the screening, noting that, “the process was seamless. It is a testament to the unity we are building in Rivers State under the APC banner.

We are ready for the next phase.” Wike’s camp, which insists that Fubara should not present himself for reelection in line with the alleged peace pact in Abuja, had acted unexpectedly with Chinda’s participation in the screening exercise.

Chinda, the minority leader in the House of Reps, an Ikwerre, according to findings was supposed to contest the governorship against Fubara under the PDP. Sources said that Chinda bought his APC form some days before the screening without making it known to the public, while the Wike camp awaited the Supreme Court’s CTC judgement to serve as a guide on the next line of action.

Another Wike ally, George Kelly, who had earlier purchased his governorship form under the same party, is allegedly working for the emergence of Chinda, who is seen as Wike’s anointed candidate for 2027.

At the time of this report, the outcome of other aspirants wanting to become the next governor of Rivers State was still being awaited. But a stalwart of the APC, who claimed to understand the plan of the Wike camp, claimed that it was actually George-Kelly, who served as commissioner for Works in both Wike and Fubara’s administration that is the choice of Wike.

He said that Wike is fully aware that the Kalabari and the Ijaw in general won’t buy into the idea of another Ikwerre in the person of Chinda emerging as governor less in just four years after him (Wike), another Ikwerre left office. Dax Kelly has also been screened and cleared to contest the APC governorship primaries.