Fresh controversy has erupted within the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State after a coalition of party support groups strongly 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 protest, which signals growing internal tensions within the Rivers chapter of the APC, was led by the Conference of APC Support Groups, a coalition of party loyalists and stakeholders who accused the party’s screening committee of unfair treatment, political bias, and selective clearance of aspirants linked to influential political figures.
In a statement issued on Saturday morning in Abuja, the coalition described the decision to disqualify Jack-Rich as unjust, politically motivated, and capable of deepening existing divisions within the party ahead of the crucial 2027 elections.
The statement was jointly signed by the coalition’s National Coordinator, Bilal Galadima, and General Secretary, James Ogenyi.
According to the group, the APC leadership structure in Rivers State has allegedly become heavily influenced by politicians loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, while long-standing party members are being sidelined despite years of commitment and loyalty to the APC.
The coalition alleged that aspirants associated with Wike were selectively cleared to contest various elective positions, while others perceived not to belong to the same political bloc were excluded from the screening process.
The group questioned what it described as excessive external influence over the affairs of the party in Rivers State.
According to the coalition, it was unacceptable for a single political figure who was not originally rooted within the APC structure to allegedly dominate decision-making processes and determine the direction of the party in the state.
Supporters of Jack-Rich specifically condemned the exclusion of the businessman and politician, insisting that he remained one of the party’s most loyal and committed members over the years.
The coalition highlighted that Jack-Rich had supported the APC for more than 13 years and even participated in the party’s presidential primaries ahead of the 2023 elections.
Party loyalists argued that his political contributions, financial support, and longstanding loyalty to the APC should have earned him fair treatment during the screening exercise.
The group also criticised the alleged clearance of Felix Obua, whom they described as a recent entrant into the APC and a known political ally of Wike.
According to the coalition, it was difficult to understand how a long-standing party loyalist like Jack-Rich could be disqualified while newer members were allegedly being favoured because of political alliances.
The support groups warned that failure by the party’s National Working Committee and national leadership to urgently intervene in the matter could weaken the APC’s structure in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections.
They cautioned that continued internal injustice and perceived marginalisation of loyal members could discourage party supporters and create deeper divisions within the Rivers APC.
The coalition therefore called on the leadership of the ruling party to uphold internal democracy, fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity for all aspirants regardless of political affiliations within the party.
According to the group, rewarding loyalty and maintaining a level playing field remain essential to preserving unity and strengthening the party ahead of future elections.
Political observers say the latest controversy further exposes the growing power struggle and political realignments currently shaping the APC in Rivers State.
The development comes amid ongoing debates surrounding the increasing influence of Nyesom Wike within the APC following his working relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu after the 2023 general elections.
Wike, who previously served as governor of Rivers State under the Peoples Democratic Party before joining the Federal Government as FCT minister, has remained one of the most influential political figures in Rivers politics.
His growing influence within the APC structure in the state has continued to generate mixed reactions among party stakeholders, especially among older APC loyalists who fear that long-standing members may gradually lose control of the party’s internal affairs.
Analysts believe the disqualification of Jack-Rich could become a major flashpoint within the Rivers APC if not properly managed by the party’s national leadership.
Some political observers have warned that unresolved grievances ahead of party primaries could lead to defections, factional conflicts, or weakened party cohesion in the build-up to the 2027 elections.
Tein Jack-Rich, an oil and gas entrepreneur and politician from Rivers State, gained national attention during the APC presidential primaries in 2022 where he emerged as one of the aspirants seeking the party’s presidential ticket.
Since then, he has remained politically active within the APC and was widely considered one of the strongest contenders for the Rivers West Senatorial District position.
The latest development is expected to intensify political discussions within Rivers State as aspirants and political blocs continue positioning themselves ahead of the next election cycle.
