Rivers: Fubara’s men missing as Wike’s loyalists emerge APC

Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Host Communities, Dum Dekor, are among 13 candidates who emerged victorious at the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections for the House of Representatives seats in Rivers State.

The duo alongside other key allies of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, obtained tickets of the ruling party, on Saturday.

The outcome of the primaries can be viewed as another test of might between Wike and his estranged benefactor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, whose defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC has made little impact in the political equation in the oil-rich state.

The primaries, conducted across the 13 federal constituencies in the state, ended peacefully, with party officials commending members for maintaining order throughout the exercise.

Out of the 13 candidates produced by the party, six are seeking reelection, while seven are first-timers contesting for seats in the House of Representatives.

Chairman of the APC Primary Election Committee for Rivers State, Wahab Owokoniran, announced the results at the party secretariat in Port Harcourton Saturday night.

Owokoniran described the exercise as peaceful and orderly in all the constituencies, noting that no case of violence or disruption was recorded during the primaries.

He said the smooth conduct of the exercise contradicted the widespread perception of political violence often associated with Rivers State.

The committee chairman congratulated party members and residents of the state for their peaceful disposition and urged them to sustain the same conduct as preparations continue for the general elections.‎

‎He said: “So far we have declared 13 out of 13 Federal Constituency results and I want to let the whole world know that the election was conducted in a very peaceful atmosphere. We did not experience any form of rancour or fighting whatsoever.
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‎“Contrary to the impression out there that Rivers State is very violent, but surprisingly, I myself was disappointed that there wasn’t any form of violence, so congratulations to the Rivers people and especially members of APC, we are so proud of the way you have conducted yourselves and hope that you will carry on into the general election and by the grace of God, our party will deliver Rivers State at both presidential, senatorial, governorship and house of assembly elections,” he said.
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The candidates declared by the party include Solomon Bob (Abua-Odual/Ahoada East), Victor Obuzor (Ahoada West/Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni), Isobo Jack (Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru), Frederick Apiafi (Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro), Cyril Hart (Degema/Bonny), and Felix Nwaeke (Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo).

Others are Dum Dekor (Khana/Gokana), Martin Chike Amaewhule (Obio/Akpor), Linda Somieari Stewart (Okrika/Ogu-Bolo), Blessing Chigeru Amadi (PHALGA 2), and Igwe Precious (PHALGA 1).

The party also announced Ozuzum Chibuzor Nwamaka as the winner for Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency, while Onyeozu Joy Nyebuchi emerged for Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency.

Reacting to the outcome, the APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Chibuike Ikenga, said the results reflect the collective decision and will of party members who participated in the primaries.

Ikenga said: ‎”Some of you who went to the field with us saw that it was fair, free, and credible. We gave our party members the opportunity to express themselves, and that’s the result you have seen here today.”
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The party spokesperson advised the successful candidates to be gracious in victory and to begin preparations for the general elections, while encouraging those who did not secure the tickets to remain engaged and position themselves for future electoral opportunities.