BY CHARLES CHIJIOKE
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the winners of its House of Representatives primary elections across the 12 federal constituencies in Rivers State, with the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, emerging victorious for Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency I in a development expected to further reshape the state’s already heated political landscape.
The results were declared late Saturday at the party secretariat in Port Harcourt by the Chairman of the State APC House of Representatives Primary Election Committee, Wahab Owokoniran, who also serves as Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Transportation, Daura.
The APC exercise marks another major phase in preparations ahead of the next electoral cycle, with party officials projecting confidence that the selected candidates would strengthen the party’s competitiveness in Rivers.
Amaewhule’s emergence immediately drew attention due to his central role in the prolonged political crisis that has shaken Rivers State. The lawmaker has remained a prominent figure in the power struggle involving rival political camps in the state, making his transition from state legislative leadership to a federal ambition one of the most closely watched outcomes of the APC primaries.
Political observers say his victory may carry implications beyond a routine party primary, as it could signal a strategic repositioning within Rivers politics and potentially redefine alliances ahead of future contests.
Party officials described the exercise as transparent and successful, insisting the process reflected the will of delegates. However, like many high-stakes primaries in Nigeria, controversies may emerge over the conduct of the elections, delegate legitimacy, and allegations of imposition — issues that have historically trailed party nomination exercises.
Analysts note that primaries in Rivers often extend beyond internal party affairs because of the state’s strategic importance and the influence of major political actors competing for control of its political structures.
The development is also likely to generate fresh debate over whether key political figures are seeking federal platforms as part of broader calculations tied to the evolving power equation in the state.
Questions may equally arise regarding the implications of Amaewhule’s victory on the leadership dynamics within the Rivers State House of Assembly, especially given his role as Speaker and his visibility in the state’s political disputes.
With the APC now unveiling its candidates, attention is expected to shift toward reactions from rival camps, possible disputes from aspirants, and the broader impact the primary outcomes may have on Rivers’ complex political environment.
The Rivers political terrain has remained one of Nigeria’s most volatile in recent years, and the latest APC primary outcomes are expected to add another chapter to an already unfolding contest for influence and control.
