Attention has shifted to the internal processes of the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Rivers State, following the screening of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other aspirants seeking the party’s ticket in Abuja. The exercise, conducted by the APC governorship screening panel, is being closely watched as a test of the party’s handling of competition within its ranks.
Governor Fubara appeared before the panel on Sunday and spent less than 20 minutes at the venue, according to party sources familiar with the exercise. Those sources dismissed reports suggesting the governor was unhappy with the process, insisting his early departure followed routine procedure after completing the required formalities before the committee.
The Rivers governor did not address journalists after the screening, but insiders described the interaction as brief and administrative. They said aspirants were asked standard questions before being excused, pending the committee’s final report, which will determine whether any candidate needs to approach the appeal panel.
A member of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, was also screened as the APC continues preparations for its governorship primary in Rivers State. The contest has drawn national attention because of the political realignments in the state and the growing number of influential figures seeking control of the party structure ahead of the next election cycle.
Responding to questions on the outcome of the exercise, APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru said no conclusions should be drawn yet because the screening committee had not submitted its report. According to him, every aspirant who appeared before the panel was part of a procedural requirement, while the committee would now review submissions and communicate its decisions officially.
In Plateau State, another governorship aspirant, retired Commander Yilchini Jan Bida, described the exercise as evidence of the APC’s commitment to internal democracy. He said the screening process created what he called a level playing field for aspirants, while party members in several states now await the outcome of the screenings as preparations for the 2027 governorship primaries gather momentum nationwide.
