Ahead of the Ahoada East Constituency II and Khana Constituency II bye-elections in Rivers State, aspirants linked to the camp of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have emerged as winners of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections. The primaries were held on Monday as part of preparations to fill vacant seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The APC organised the primaries to select its flagbearers for the two constituencies ahead of the bye-elections. At the end of the exercise, Napoleo Ukalikpe clinched the party’s ticket for Ahoada East Constituency II, while Mrs Bulabari Henrietta Loolo emerged as the APC candidate for Khana Constituency II.

Henrietta Loolo is the wife of the late Hon. Dinebari Loolo, who represented Khana Constituency II until his death in September 2023. Her emergence has drawn attention within the state’s political space, especially as the contest is seen as important to the balance of power in the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Although Governor Siminalayi Fubara is widely regarded as the APC leader in Rivers State, the outcome of the primaries suggests that the political structure loyal to Nyesom Wike still wields strong influence within the party. The results have further highlighted the ongoing power dynamics within the APC as the bye-elections draw closer.