2027: Rivers is nobody’s private estate. – ADC gov candidate

Governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress in Rivers State, Dr Gabriel Pidomson. Photo: Channels TV

Governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress in Rivers State, Dr Gabriel Pidomson, has said Rivers people will reject any attempt to impose a governor on them in the 2027 election.

Pidomson criticised the ‘Rainbow  Coalition’, a political arrangement in the state initiated by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, saying it cannot dissuade electorates from choosing who they want.

Pidomson, who spoke to newsmen in Port Harcourt on Thursday about his campaign preparations, said the election would not be a contest between individuals or political blocs but a referendum by Rivers people on who should govern the state in the next general poll.

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

Taking a direct swipe at the political camp associated with Wike, Pidomson said the state was not the property of any individual or political group.

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

Dr Pidomson also dismissed claims that the Rainbow Coalition has a growing influence, boasting that the ADC would “eclipse their rainbow” in the governorship contest.

“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 state ADC governorship candidate alleged that Rivers’ people were “morally angry” over what he described as the domination of the state by one political figure, insisting that the electorate was ready for a change.

He challenged Wike’s political camp to project what  the former governor had attracted to Rivers since becoming minister of the FCT.

“As a minister of the FCT, tell me one project that Nyesom Wike has brought to the state,” Pidomson asked, even as he said the appointments influenced by Wike have largely benefited his political associates only.

Pidomson said his campaign had already undertaken consultations across the state and engaged different ethnic and stakeholder groups, claiming that the consultations had revealed a strong desire for a government that would be “responsive and responsible.”

He disclosed that his 10-point policy agenda was designed around the welfare of Rivers people, insisting: “They cannot rig us out”.

Pidomson also warned against electoral manipulation, declaring that the ADC would deploy agents across polling units to monitor the voting and collation processes.

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

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He urged voters to remain at their polling units after casting their ballots until results were announced after the elections, saying, “With that it will be impossible for them to rig us out.”

Pidomson further urged Rivers voters not to be intimidated by any political group, insisting that the 2027 election would mark a departure from what he described as the imposition of candidates against the wishes of the electorate.

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

He condemned reported restrictions on political activities and attacks on perceived political opponents in some local government areas of the state.

Pidomsom called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Rivers 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.

He alleged that members of the ruling APC had disrupted some of the ADC’s activities and urged security agencies to investigate such incidents and prosecute anyone found culpable.

On the reported opposition of some Ogoni leaders to his candidacy, Pidomson expressed confidence that the electorate would not necessarily 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 a strong structure across Rivers and insisted that his political support cut across ethnic lines.

“The entire Rivers people are my structures,” he declared and urged voters to collect any inducement offered to them during the campaign but vote according to their conscience.

“They will come to bribe you with money, collect it but vote for ADC,” the Rivers ADC governorship candidate added.

He maintained that his campaign was prepared for the 2027 contest, adding that he had been working towards occupying the Rivers State Government House since 2014. “I am intellectually, emotionally and physically prepared,” he declared.