Wike Loyalists Secure APC Tickets For Rivers Assembly Bye-Elections
Loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have emerged as candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Rivers State House of Assembly bye-elections fixed for February 21, 2026.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will conduct the polls to fill two vacant seats in the state legislature for Ahoada-East Constituency II and Khana Constituency II.
The seats became vacant following the death of the Khana lawmaker, Hon. Dunebari Loolo, and the resignation of the Ahoada-East representative, Edison Ehie, who stepped down amid Rivers State’s lingering political crisis.
Ahead of the primaries, the APC held congresses at the constituency level to select delegates, with five delegates produced from each area. The delegate selection exercise took place on Sunday, supervised by committees appointed by the party’s National Working Committee, while the primaries on Monday were observed by INEC officials and security agencies.
At the end of the exercise, Hon. Napoleon Ukalikpe, said to be loyal to Wike, secured the APC ticket for Ahoada-East Constituency II. In Khana Constituency II, the party’s ticket went to Mrs. Bulabari Loolo, widow of the late lawmaker, in what party insiders described as a compensatory gesture following her husband’s death.
The development is reported to have unsettled the camp of Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara. Some sources claim the outcome suggests the governor may have conceded ground at the expense of his loyalists, while others insist political actors aligned with Wike simply outmaneuvered Fubara’s supporters during the primaries.
