The Rivers State governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Dr Gabriel Pidomson, says voters in the state will resist any attempt to impose a governor on them in the 2027 election.
Pidomson made the statement in Port Harcourt while speaking on his campaign plans and the political developments ahead of next year’s governorship poll.
He described the election as a contest between the people of Rivers State and those seeking to control the outcome, rather than a battle between individual candidates.
He said, “The 2027 election is not just between Pidomson and the others. It is going to be Rivers people versus others.”
The ADC candidate also criticised the political alliance known as the Rainbow Coalition, which is associated with former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Pidomson argued that no individual or political group should treat the state as its personal possession.
He said, “Rivers State is nobody’s private estate. It is our common patrimony.”
He further claimed that the ADC had built support across the state through consultations with ethnic groups and other stakeholders, adding that the party’s campaign was centred on a 10-point agenda focused on the welfare of residents.
Pidomson also raised concerns about electoral manipulation and said his party would deploy agents to polling units across the state to monitor voting and the collation of results.
He said, “Our agents will be on red alert to monitor the units across the state.”
The governorship candidate urged voters to remain at their polling units until results are announced, saying this would help protect their votes.
Pidomson also appealed to security agencies to protect the rights of political parties and citizens to participate in lawful campaign activities.
He alleged that some political activities had been disrupted in parts of the state and called on the police, Department of State Services and other security agencies to investigate such incidents.
On reports that some Ogoni leaders were opposed to his candidacy, Pidomson said political leaders could not dictate the choices of voters.
He said, “The so-called leaders you are talking about are just a handful of those who have benefitted from this current system. They cannot sway the position or choice of the people.”
Pidomson expressed confidence in the ADC’s structure across Rivers State, insisting that his support base cuts across ethnic and political lines.
He declared, “The entire Rivers people are my structures.”
He also urged voters to reject intimidation and exercise their franchise according to their conscience, while maintaining that the ADC was prepared for the 2027 contest.
Pidomson said he had been working towards becoming governor of Rivers State since 2014 and described himself as intellectually, emotionally and physically prepared for the election.
