PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has urged Rivers State voters to support the ADC in the 2027 governorship election, arguing that the state needs a new political direction.
In a statement issued on Monday, Eze said the political and developmental challenges facing Rivers State should encourage voters to reassess past electoral decisions and consider what he described as an alternative leadership platform.
Reflecting on the 2015 governorship election, Eze recalled that former Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, had campaigned for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, whom he said was presented as the candidate best positioned to continue the state’s development agenda.
According to Eze, subsequent political developments in the state have reinforced Amaechi’s position, claiming that Rivers State has experienced years of political tension, institutional challenges and policy reversals since then.
He further argued that Peterside’s later service as Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) reflected the leadership qualities he believed could have benefited Rivers State had he been elected governor.
Eze also alleged that several policies and programmes introduced during the Amaechi administration were discontinued by successive governments, particularly in the areas of education, agriculture, healthcare, youth development and security.
Commenting on the 2027 governorship election, the ADC chieftain criticised what he described as attempts by political leaders to influence the choice of the state’s next governor, insisting that Rivers voters should be allowed to decide freely without external interference.
“No individual, regardless of political influence, owns Rivers State,” Eze said, urging residents to reject any form of political imposition through lawful and democratic means.
He also advocated greater political inclusion, noting that the governorship has remained within the upland axis of the state since the return to democratic rule in 1999. According to him, expanding opportunities for other ethnic groups would promote equity and strengthen unity across Rivers State.
Eze expressed confidence in the ADC’s governorship candidate, Dr. Gabriel Pidomson, describing him as experienced and capable of providing purposeful leadership if elected. He also commended the party’s deputy governorship candidate, Dr. Okumgba David Amapaka, saying their ticket represents competence and inclusive governance.
He noted that Pidomson’s emergence is significant because he is from the Ogoni ethnic nationality, which, according to him, has not produced a governor, deputy governor, chief judge or speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Eze appealed to Rivers voters to support the ADC in the 2027 election, saying the poll presents an opportunity to pursue what he described as a new direction for governance and institutional development in the state.
His remarks come as political parties and stakeholders continue consultations and preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
