A coalition of support groups within the All Progressives Congress has protested the disqualification of former presidential aspirant, Tein Jack-Rich, from the Rivers West Senatorial race ahead of the party’s primaries for the 2027 general elections.
The Conference of APC Support Groups, in a statement issued on Saturday morning in Abuja, described the action of the party’s screening committee as unjust and capable of worsening internal divisions within the APC in Rivers State.
The statement, signed by the coalition’s National Coordinator, Dr. Bilal Galadima, and General Secretary, Hon. James Ogenyi, accused the party leadership in Rivers of favouring politicians loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, while sidelining long-standing members of the APC.
The coalition alleged that only aspirants aligned with Wike were cleared to contest for elective positions in the state.
“How can our party allow only one man who is not a member of our party to make decisions or dictate the direction of our party?” the group queried.
The coalition specifically faulted the exclusion of Jack-Rich, describing him as a loyal party member who had supported the APC for more than 13 years and previously contested the party’s presidential ticket.
It also questioned the alleged clearance of Felix Obua, whom it described as a recent entrant into the party and an ally of Wike.
“How can our party disqualify Jack-Rich, a former presidential aspirant who has been loyal and supported our party for the last 13 years, only for our party to choose Felix Obua, a Wike loyalist who only joined the party three months ago?” the statement read.
The group warned that failure by the APC leadership and National Working Committee to address the matter could weaken the party’s structure in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections.
It called on party leaders to uphold internal democracy, reward loyalty and ensure a level playing field for all aspirants.
The controversy highlights growing tensions within the Rivers APC amid ongoing political realignments in the state following the working relationship between President Bola Tinubu and Wike after the 2023 elections.
Wike, who served as governor of Rivers State under the Peoples Democratic Party before joining the Federal Government as FCT minister, has remained a dominant figure in the state’s political landscape.
His influence within the APC in Rivers has continued to generate debate among party stakeholders, especially as politicians position themselves ahead of the next election cycle.
Jack-Rich, an oil and gas entrepreneur from Rivers State, emerged as one of the aspirants during the APC presidential primaries in 2022.
He has since remained active in the party and was considered a strong contender for the Rivers West Senatorial District seat.