Fubara, Kelly George Face Hope Uzodinma APC Screening Committee as Rivers Assembly Considers Impeachment

 

 

 

Political tensions in Rivers State deepened on Tuesday as Governor Siminalayi Fubara and former commissioner Kelly George moved closer to contesting for the governorship ticket of the APC ahead of the 2027 elections, even as fresh reports emerged of a possible impeachment plot against the governor.

 

Sources within the party disclosed that both aspirants had submitted their nomination forms to the screening committee chaired by Hope Uzodimma at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja. The screening exercise is expected to hold on Friday.

 

Governor Fubara, who is seeking a second term in office, was said to have secured his nomination forms through a delegation of Rivers political stakeholders led by Awaji-Inombek Abiante, a known ally of the governor.

 

In what political observers describe as a strategic effort to strengthen his hold on the APC structure in the state, the governor reportedly distributed expression of interest and nomination forms to loyalists contesting the 32 seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly.

 

Kelly George, a former commissioner for works and political associate of Nyesom Wike, is also in the race for the APC governorship ticket, setting the stage for a potentially fierce internal contest.

 

The latest developments have added another layer of complexity to the ongoing political rivalry in Rivers State, where factions loyal to Governor Fubara and those aligned with Wike have remained locked in a prolonged struggle for control since the fallout between both camps.

 

Analysts believe the battle for the APC ticket could become a defining contest for the future of Rivers politics ahead of the next election cycle.

 

Although Wike remains a member of the PDP, reports indicate that the former governor is also backing a governorship aspirant within the opposition party, fueling speculations about shifting alliances and cross-party influence ahead of 2027.

 

His growing influence within the APC in Rivers has continued to spark debate among political stakeholders in the state.

 

The political atmosphere became more charged following allegations by Wike that Governor Fubara had failed to honour commitments allegedly made during discussions involving President Bola Tinubu concerning the governor’s political future.

 

Wike reportedly questioned the governor’s dependability and argued that Rivers State needed stable leadership amid the lingering political uncertainty.

 

Meanwhile, fresh reports suggest that lawmakers led by Martin Amaewhule are considering another impeachment move against Governor Fubara.

 

The planned action, if pursued, would mark another chapter in the prolonged political crisis that has dominated Rivers politics since 2023.

 

Sources familiar with the discussions claimed that some lawmakers were citing alleged constitutional violations, including issues surrounding budget presentation, approval of expenditures, and the composition of the state executive council.

 

However, as of Tuesday evening, no formal impeachment notice had been issued publicly.

 

The unfolding political drama has also revived ethnic and regional considerations within the state’s power structure.

 

Both Fubara and Kelly George are from Ijaw communities, though from different blocs within the ethnic nationality, while another possible contender, Kingsley Chinda, is from the Ikwerre ethnic group.

 

Political analysts say the evolving alignments could test long-standing loyalties across Rivers State, especially in riverine communities where support for Governor Fubara has remained strong.

 

Supporters of the governor have continued to point to ongoing infrastructure projects, particularly the Trans Kalabari Road project, as evidence of his administration’s efforts to expand development to previously neglected areas.

 

With political camps intensifying consultations and alliances continuing to shift, Rivers State appears set for another high-stakes political showdown ahead of the 2027 governorship election.