Supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have emerged as candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the forthcoming Rivers State House of Assembly bye-elections billed for February 21, 2026.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to conduct the polls to fill two vacant legislative seats in Ahoada-East Constituency II and Khana Constituency II.
The Khana seat became vacant following the death of the lawmaker, Hon. Dunebari Loolo, while the Ahoada-East Constituency II position was declared vacant after the resignation of Edison Ehie amid the political crisis rocking the state.
Ahead of the primaries, the APC conducted congresses in the two constituencies to select five delegates each. The delegate elections were overseen by committees set up by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
On Monday, the party held its primaries under the supervision of the same committees, alongside officials of INEC and security agencies.
At the end of the exercise, Hon. Napoleon Ukalikpe, widely regarded as a loyalist of Minister Wike, clinched the party’s ticket for Ahoada-East Constituency II, while Mrs. Bulabari Loolo secured the APC ticket for Khana Constituency II.
Bulabari Loolo is the widow of the late lawmaker, Dunebari Loolo, and party insiders said her emergence was a form of political compensation following her husband’s demise.
Sources disclosed that the outcome of the primaries has unsettled the camp of Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
While some party stakeholders accused the governor of sacrificing the interests of his loyalists, others believe political forces aligned with the FCT minister strategically outmaneuvered the governor’s camp.
