Allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, dominated the All Progressives Congress House of Representatives primaries held across Rivers State on Saturday, with Martins Amaewhule and several other loyalists securing tickets for the 2027 general elections.
The primaries, conducted across wards in the state, formed part of the APC’s nationwide exercise to select candidates for the House of Representatives ahead of the next general election.
Among the standout victories was that of Amaewhule, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and a close ally of Wike, who clinched the APC ticket for the Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency after polling 17,968 votes.
Incumbent lawmaker Dekor also retained the APC ticket for the Gokana/Khana Federal Constituency, defeating Israel Ngbuelo by 17,073 votes to 1,220.
Other key winners included Solomon Bob, who secured the Abua/Odual/Ahoada East Federal Constituency ticket with 16,079 votes, and Frederick Apiafi, who emerged victorious in the Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency with 8,550 votes.
In the Port Harcourt constituencies, Igwe Precious won the Port Harcourt I ticket with 5,885 votes, while Blessing Amadi claimed the Port Harcourt II ticket after polling 5,674 votes.
Cyril Hart captured the Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency ticket with 7,203 votes, defeating Philmore Tony, who polled 1,020 votes. Isobo Jack also emerged winner of the Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru Federal Constituency with 11,303 votes.
Felix Nwaeke was returned as the APC candidate for the Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo Federal Constituency after securing 18,605 votes, while Victor Obuzor clinched the Ahoada West/Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni ticket with 15,626 votes.
In the Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency, Chibuzor Nwamaka defeated Obasi Chinazam by 10,440 votes to 2,423 to emerge as the party’s candidate.
Nyebuchi Joy won the Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency ticket with 13,704 votes, defeating Adiele Lawrence, who scored 2,030 votes.
Linda Stewart also secured victory in the Okrika/Ogu/Bolo Federal Constituency, polling 12,347 votes against Tekena Ikiaki’s 3,880 votes.
Announcing the results at the APC State Secretariat in Port Harcourt, Chairman of the Election Committee, Wahab Owokoniran, described the exercise as peaceful and orderly despite fears of possible violence.
“I want to let the world know that the election was conducted in a peaceful atmosphere. We did not experience any form of rancour, infighting or any problem whatsoever, contrary to the impression out there that Rivers State is very violent,” he said.
“Surprisingly, I myself was disappointed that there wasn’t any form of violence. So, congratulations to Rivers State.”
