According to a report by Daily Post Nigeria on Thursday, 4 June, 2026, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that the governorship candidate backed by his political camp in Rivers State has been disqualified, urging critics to wait for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish the official list of candidates.
Wike made the remarks amid growing political debate following recent court rulings affecting the leadership structure of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State.
The controversy stems from a judgment that reinstated the leadership of Emeka Beke and nullified actions taken by a rival faction within the party.
The ruling also cast uncertainty over nominations that emerged from the APC primaries conducted under the disputed leadership.
The primaries had produced Kingsley Chinda, a prominent ally of Wike, as the party’s governorship candidate after Governor Siminalayi Fubara reportedly stepped aside from the race.
Several other associates of the FCT Minister also secured nominations for National Assembly and State Assembly seats ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The legal battle intensified after the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt upheld an earlier judgment of the Rivers State High Court, which invalidated the congresses that led to the emergence of Chief Tony Okocha as APC chairman in the state.
Reacting to claims that candidates associated with his political camp had been removed from the ballot, Wike cautioned against premature conclusions.
He maintained that only INEC has the constitutional authority to publish the final list of candidates and determine who will contest the elections.
Speaking on the political developments in Rivers State, the Minister criticized individuals making definitive claims about the fate of candidates, insisting that the process remains ongoing.
“INEC will publish the list of candidates in July. Let us wait until then. There is no need for speculation or misinformation,” Wike said.
He also took aim at those celebrating what they perceive as a setback for his political allies, arguing that many of the comments being made were driven by political interests rather than a clear understanding of the legal issues involved.
