The camp loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, recorded sweeping victories in the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primaries held across Rivers State on Saturday.
The primaries, conducted across wards in the state, formed part of the APC’s nationwide exercise to select candidates for the House of Representatives ahead of the next general election.
One of the most prominent winners was Amaewhule, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and a close ally of Wike, who clinched the APC ticket for the Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency with 17,968 votes.
Incumbent lawmaker, Dekor, also secured the party’s ticket for the Gokana/Khana Federal Constituency after polling 17,073 votes, defeating his closest rival, Israel Ngbuelo, who scored 1,220 votes.
In Abua/Odual/Ahoada East Federal Constituency, Solomon Bob emerged winner with 16,079 votes, while Frederick Apiafi won the Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency with 8,550 votes.
In Port Harcourt, Hon. Igwe Precious clinched the ticket for Port Harcourt I with 5,885 votes, while Blessing Amadi emerged winner in Port Harcourt II with 5,674 votes.
Cyril Hart secured the Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency ticket with 7,203 votes, defeating Philmore Tony, who polled 1,020 votes. In Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru Federal Constituency, Isobo Jack emerged victorious with 11,303 votes.
Felix Nwaeke was declared candidate for Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo Federal Constituency after polling 18,605 votes, while Victor Obuzor clinched the Ahoada West/Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni ticket with 15,626 votes.
In Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency, Chibuzor Nwamaka scored 10,440 votes to defeat Obasi Chinazam, who polled 2,423 votes.
Nyebuchi Joy emerged winner in Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency with 13,704 votes, defeating Adiele Lawrence, who got 2,030 votes.
In Okrika/Ogu/Bolo Federal Constituency, Linda Stewart secured the ticket with 12,347 votes, defeating Tekena Ikiaki, who polled 3,880 votes.
Announcing the results at the APC State Secretariat in Port Harcourt, Chairman of the Election Committee, Wahab Owokoniran, described the exercise as peaceful and orderly, despite earlier expectations of violence.
“I want to let the world know that the election was conducted in a peaceful atmosphere. We did not experience any form of rancour, infighting or any problem whatsoever, contrary to the impression out there that Rivers State is very violent. Surprisingly, I myself was disappointed that there wasn’t any form of violence. So, congratulations to Rivers State,” he said.
