.Uzodinma, Ali, 27 others also
Thirty governors of the All Progressives Congress, APC, including Hope Uzodimma of Imo, Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers and former Secretary to Oyo State Government, Sarafadeen Alli, were among aspirants cleared for the primaries of the party ahead of the 2027 elections.s part of activities to meet the timelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the polls, the APC had announced that it would publish the names of cleared aspirants on May 13.
The Rivers state governor Fubara on Wednesday had dismissed speculations that he had defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) amid ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections. Fubara said reports circulating in sections of the media suggesting that he had abandoned the ruling party were false, insisting that he remained committed to the APC and its overall interest.
The Guardian recalls that reports emerged at the weekend alleging that the APC screening committee rejected Fubara during a screening exercise for the party service governors and that the governor subsequently left the venue angrily without addressing journalists. Reacting to the reports, Fubara said: “I know that there have been a lot of drama in the media; one story or another. I am a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and nothing has changed. People should stop using whatever situation they pick up from social media or their own interpretation of events to misrepresent me.
“I have not gone anywhere. I am still a member of the APC and I remain committed to the party. Whatever happens, what is important is supporting the overall interest of the party.”
The governor spoke during an inspection tour of the newly constructed General Hospital and the remodelled Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Rumuigbo, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Fubara was conducted round the facilities by the Director of Medical Services in the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr Vincent Wachukwu, who took him through the hospital wards,
conference hall, ICT centre, students’ hostel, staff quarters and other sections of the facilities. The governor expressed satisfaction with the completion of the projects, describing them as strategic interventions aimed at addressing critical healthcare needs in the state.
According to him, the decision to rehabilitate the Neuropsychiatric Hospital followed concerns over mental healthcare services, while the construction of the General Hospital became necessary because residents in the area lacked access to nearby medical facilities. “This project became necessary after we discovered that the area had more healthcare challenges beyond mental health concerns. We realised there was no General Hospital to serve the people in this axis.
“The nearest facility available to them was the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), which is quite far from here. We felt it was important to utilise the available space within this facility to establish a General Hospital that would cater for neighbouring communities, including Rumuola, Rumuolumeni and adjoining areas,” he said.
Fubara added that the projects had been fully completed and would improve access to quality healthcare for residents. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi, the governor said the administration remained committed to projects that directly impact the welfare of the people.
