Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was absent as the All Progressives Congress screened over 14 governors and other aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The screening exercise, which began on May 8, is expected to conclude on Saturday, while the party’s primaries are scheduled to commence next week.

Also screened was President Bola Tinubu’s sole challenger for the APC presidential ticket, Stanley Osifo, who said the process was rigorous but fair.

The APC had earlier commenced the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms on April 28, with the exercise closing on May 6.

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 Houses of Assembly on May 20, governorship primaries on May 21, while the presidential primary is slated for May 23.

INEC has fixed the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.

Governors screened by the APC committee chaired by the National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, included Abba Yusuf of Kano, Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, Nasir Idris of Kebbi, Caleb Muftwang of Plateau, Hyacinth Alia of Benue, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi and Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta.

Others were Umar Bago of Niger, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Bassey Otu of Cross River and Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State.

A senior APC official disclosed that more than 14 governors had so far undergone screening.

Speaking after his screening, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, described the exercise as smooth and commended the party leadership for promoting unity among governors and the National Working Committee.

Eno also defended the performance of President Tinubu, saying there was visible improvement in the economy despite prevailing challenges.

“There is light at the end of the tunnel,” he said, adding that the President deserved another term to consolidate ongoing reforms.

Meanwhile, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Bauchi governorship aspirant, Yusuf Tuggar, ruled out the possibility of consensus in the state’s APC governorship race, citing the growing number of aspirants.

He urged the party to guard against manipulation and ensure only credible aspirants emerged through the process.

Presidential aspirant Stanley Osifo confirmed that he was questioned about his decision to contest against the incumbent president, noting that he responded to all issues raised during the screening.

He maintained that he remained committed to the race despite the endorsement of Tinubu by sections of the party.

However, attention focused on the absence of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, who is reportedly seeking the APC governorship ticket amid his lingering political battle with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

Fubara was said to have obtained APC nomination forms through proxies despite opposition from Wike’s camp.

Responding to questions over the governor’s absence, APC National Chairman Yilwatda said governors with official state engagements were excused and could appear before the committee within the stipulated period.

“Any governor who has state issues to attend to… we excuse them. Anytime they are free, within the stipulated time, the screening committee will be available,” he said.

The development comes amid increasing political tension in Rivers State, where allies of Wike and Fubara are positioning themselves ahead of the APC governorship primary.

Among those reportedly seeking the APC governorship ticket are former Commissioner for Works, Das George-Kelly, and House of Representatives Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda.

Former Rivers Commissioner for Education, Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja, claimed Chinda, who currently belongs to the Peoples Democratic Party, had already obtained APC governorship nomination forms.

“I saw his name among those who bought the governorship form,” Gogo-Jaja said during a radio interview in Port Harcourt.