Siminalayi Fubara was absent as the All Progressives Congress continued its screening exercise for governors seeking re-election and other elective positions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The APC had earlier commenced the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms on April 28, with the process ending on May 6. Screening for serving governors began on May 8 and is expected to conclude on May 10.
The party adopted both consensus and direct primaries in line with the Electoral Act 2025.
According to the timetable released by the party, House of Representatives primaries will hold on May 15, Senate primaries on May 18, State Assembly primaries on May 20, governorship primaries on May 21, while the presidential primary is scheduled for May 23.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and State Assembly elections will take place on February 6, 2027.
Among the governors screened by the APC committee were Abba Yusuf, Inuwa Yahaya, Nasir Idris, Caleb Muftwang and Hyacinth Alia.
Others screened include Francis Nwifuru, Sheriff Oborevwori, Umar Bago, Dauda Lawal and Bassey Otu.
Governors seeking senatorial tickets, including Mai Mala Buni and Hope Uzodinma, were also screened.
However, Fubara did not appear before the screening panel, despite reports that his APC nomination forms were obtained through proxies amid his political feud with former Rivers governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Responding to concerns over the Rivers governor’s absence, APC National Chairman and head of the screening committee, Nentawe Yilwatda, said governors with official state engagements were excused from appearing immediately.
According to him, the committee would make room for any governor unable to attend within the scheduled time due to official responsibilities.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that some Rivers politicians, including House of Representatives member Awaj-Inombek Abiante and former Commissioner for Education, Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja, purchased the nomination forms on Fubara’s behalf.
There are also claims that former Rivers Commissioner for Works, Das George-Kelly, and House of Representatives Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, have obtained governorship forms to contest the Rivers governorship election under the APC platform.
