The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dr Gabriel Pidomson, has declared that the people of the state will reject any attempt to impose a governor on them in the 2027 election.

Pidomson made the declaration on Thursday in Port Harcourt while speaking with journalists on his campaign preparations and his expectations for the forthcoming governorship election.

The ADC candidate criticised the political arrangement known as the “Rainbow Coalition”, which is associated with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike.

Pidomson argued that the coalition would not prevent Rivers voters from choosing their preferred candidate, insisting that the 2027 election would be a referendum on who the people want to govern the state.

He said the contest would go beyond individual candidates and political blocs, declaring that it would ultimately be between Rivers people and those seeking to determine the outcome of the election.

“The 2027 election is not just between Pidomson and the others. It is going to be Rivers people versus others,” he said.

Taking aim at the political camp associated with Wike, Pidomson said Rivers State belonged to all its citizens and could not be treated as the property of any individual or political organisation.

“Rivers State is nobody’s private estate. It is our common patrimony,” he declared.

‘We shall eclipse their rainbow’
Pidomson also dismissed claims that the Rainbow Coalition had gained significant influence ahead of the election, saying the ADC would defeat the political arrangement at the polls.

“On the so-called Rainbow Coalition, well, they have the right to boast everywhere. I can assure you that the real people are not with them. And we shall eclipse their rainbow next year,” he said.

The ADC candidate alleged that many Rivers residents were dissatisfied with what he described as the prolonged domination of the state’s politics by one political figure.

He challenged Wike’s political camp to identify projects the former governor had attracted to Rivers since becoming FCT minister.

“As a minister of the FCT, tell me one project that Nyesom Wike has brought to the state,” Pidomson asked.

He also alleged that appointments influenced by Wike had largely benefited his political associates.

Pidomson said his campaign had conducted consultations across Rivers State, engaging ethnic groups, community leaders and other stakeholders.

According to him, the consultations showed a desire among residents for what he described as a more responsive and responsible government.

He said his 10-point policy agenda was focused on the welfare and development of Rivers residents.

The ADC candidate also expressed confidence that his party would withstand any attempt to manipulate the election.

“They cannot rig us out,” he said.

ADC promises polling-unit monitoring
Pidomson said the ADC would deploy agents to polling units across the state to monitor voting and the collation of results.

“Our agents will be on red alert to monitor the units across the state,” he stated.

He urged voters to remain at their polling units after casting their ballots until the results were announced, arguing that such vigilance would help protect the integrity of the process.

“With that it will be impossible for them to rig us out,” he said.

Pidomson further urged Rivers voters not to be intimidated by political groups, insisting that the 2027 election should provide an opportunity for voters to freely choose their preferred candidate.

“The votes of the people will count. The vote will be protected. No amount of rigging will prevail in the state,” he said.

Calls for security agencies to protect political activities
The ADC governorship candidate also condemned what he described as restrictions on political activities and alleged attacks on perceived political opponents in some local government areas.

He called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, the Department of State Services and other security agencies to ensure that citizens and political parties were allowed to exercise their constitutional rights.

“It is therefore unlawful, unconstitutional and barbaric for anybody, no matter how politically placed, to stop anyone from participating or organising political activities in any part of the state,” he said.

Pidomson alleged that members of the ruling All Progressives Congress had disrupted some ADC activities and called on security agencies to investigate the incidents and prosecute anyone found responsible.

Pidomson dismisses opposition from some Ogoni leaders
On reports that some Ogoni leaders were opposed to his candidacy, Pidomson said he was confident that voters would make their own decisions rather than automatically follow the positions of political leaders.

“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,” he said.

He claimed that the ADC had established structures across Rivers State and that his support base cut across ethnic divisions.
“The entire Rivers people are my structures,” he declared.

Pidomson also urged voters to collect any inducement offered during the campaign but vote according to their conscience.

“They will come to bribe you with money, collect it but vote for ADC,” he added.

The ADC candidate said he was prepared for the 2027 governorship contest, noting that he had been working towards becoming governor of Rivers State since 2014.

“I am intellectually, emotionally and physically prepared,” he declared.

More than 40,000 farmers under the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Abia State chapter, have endorsed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Dr Kelechi Anosike, ahead of the February 6, 2027 governorship election in the state.

The endorsement was announced on Tuesday by the state chairman of AFAN, Mike Okezie, when he led members of the association’s executive to meet Anosike at his campaign office on Aba Road, Umuahia.

Okezie said the association decided to support the PDP candidate based on his proposed agricultural policies and welfare programmes, describing Anosike as a politician with a clear agenda for the agricultural sector.

According to him, farmers in the state had worked for years without receiving adequate recognition, expressing confidence that Anosike’s agricultural blueprint would improve food security and enhance the welfare of farmers.

In a resolution presented at the meeting, AFAN said its decision followed its consideration of Anosike’s proposals on food security, rural development and farmers’ welfare.

The association specifically cited the proposed Operation Feed Abia, restoration of agricultural extension services, farm mechanisation, grants and other support programmes, revitalisation of farm settlements and rural development initiatives as reasons for its endorsement.

AFAN also resolved to mobilise its members across the 17 local government areas of the state to participate peacefully in the election, promote Anosike’s agricultural policies in rural communities and engage with his campaign on agricultural value-chain development.

Responding to the endorsement, the Chairman of the Abia PDP Campaign Council, Amb.

Empire Kanu, said the farmers had made the right choice, describing Anosike as well-educated and grounded.

Kanu said Anosike would draw inspiration from the agricultural legacy of the late Dr M.I.

Okpara, former Premier of the Eastern Region, while introducing modern agricultural machinery, including Apache farm equipment from Argentina.

The PDP state chairman and deputy governorship candidate, Elder Amah Abraham, said the party regarded farmers as strategic partners in governance rather than merely election tools.

He pledged that the next PDP administration would nominate a farmer as commissioner for agriculture.

The Director-General of the Abia PDP Governorship Campaign Council, Chief Obinna Nwachukwu, also requested the creation of a Directorate of Farmers within the campaign council, to be headed and populated by AFAN members.

Anosike approved the request, saying the directorate would include farmers from across the state.

“And as the DG said, that request has been granted. There will be a directorate for the farmers. So in our campaign council, which is being constituted, they give us the name of local government coordinators, we incorporate them into what we’re doing, and the membership spans down all the 184 wards, all the polling units,” he said.

The PDP candidate assured the farmers that they would have a prominent role in his proposed administration, describing governance as a partnership between the state government and farmers.

“As the state chairman said, the farmers will be an integral part of the next government. It will be a partnership between the state government and Abia farmers. They’ll have a pride of place,” Anosike said.

He said his proposed administration would pursue Operation Feed Abia to increase food production and ensure that residents did not go hungry.

Anosike also promised to restore agricultural extension services, promote modern agronomic practices, reduce excessive chemical use in farming and empower local governments to provide tractors for land preparation.

He further pledged to provide farm grants, promote the packaging and standardisation of agricultural products for export, revitalise farm settlements and encourage young people to venture into fishery, piggery, poultry and ranching.

The PDP candidate said his administration would also establish a Rural Development Agency to improve rural roads and make agriculture a major driver of employment and wealth creation.

Anosike said he was encouraged by the response of Abians to issue-based campaigns, adding that the 2027 governorship election would be a “referendum of ideas, not insults.”

Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Ireti Kingibe, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that the votes of Nigerians count in the 2027 general election 

Kingibe made the call in a statement issued on Wednesday to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, stressing that the essence of independence would be undermined if citizens were unable to freely choose their leaders through credible elections.

The senator urged INEC to maintain its independence and conduct the 2027 elections in a manner that reflects the choice of voters.

She also called on security agencies, political leaders, the electorate and young Nigerians to play their respective constitutional roles in ensuring peaceful and credible elections.

“I wish to use the opportunity offered by this annual event to passionately appeal to INEC to be truly independent in action and name by conducting the 2027 General Elections in a manner that would reflect the will of the people,” Kingibe said.

“I also appeal to security agencies, political leaders, the electorates and the youth to play their respective constitutional roles at the elections, noting that the entire world is watching us.”

The 2027 general elections are expected to attract significant political activity as political parties and prospective candidates prepare for presidential, governorship and legislative contests.

Kingibe said the October 1 Independence Anniversary should serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by Nigeria’s founding fathers and the responsibility of citizens and leaders to preserve the country’s democratic values.

According to her, independence represents “freedom, sacrifice, and the resilience of our founding fathers who fought for the liberty we enjoy today.”

She added, “Their labour must not be in vain.”
The FCT senator urged Nigerians to reflect on the state of the country’s democracy, arguing that the ideals of independence should include the right of citizens to freely determine who governs them.

She further reaffirmed her commitment to supporting legislative measures aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s electoral system and representing the interests of her constituents in the Senate.

Kingibe said she would continue “to being a voice for the voiceless in the Senate.”