The Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Rivers State, Chief Chukwudi Dimkpa, has declared that the “liberation of Rivers State has begun,” as the party intensifies grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Dimkpa said the ADC was positioning itself as a people-oriented alternative to what he described as years of “state capture” and godfatherism in the state’s political system.
Speaking during an exclusive interview with The Atlantic Bell, the ADC chairman said the party was already strengthening its structures across the 23 local government areas of the state to ensure effective grassroots participation.
According to him, the ADC would run a people-centred administration that would return power to ordinary Rivers people instead of allowing governance to revolve around a single political authority.
“What has been going on in Rivers State is complete state capture, which is an anathema to the philosophy of the ADC,” he said. “This time around, we want to give that voice back to the people.”
Dimkpa stated that unlike other political parties where candidates were allegedly imposed, the ADC governorship candidate, Hon. Gabriel Pidomson emerged through a transparent process driven by party members and the electorate.
“The people will determine who will be their governor come 2027. It is not going to be somebody sitting somewhere to write results or snatching ballot boxes,” he declared.
The ADC chairman said the party deliberately avoided zoning its governorship ticket because it remains an opposition platform seeking the strongest possible candidate to wrest power.
He, however, noted that it was significant that the eventual candidate emerged from Rivers South-East Senatorial District, which he described as an area that had suffered years of political marginalisation.
“As far as we are concerned, this is the time for the people of the South-East Senatorial District to rise and claim what has come to them, through the candidature of Hon. Pidomson,” he said.
On the issue of godfatherism, Dimkpa said the ADC would revive the old tradition of party supremacy where elected party officials and members, rather than political benefactors, determine the direction of governance.
“The ADC is going to showcase that the party has a vision and something that will eventually kill the issue of godfatherism,” he added.
Dimkpa also accused the ruling political establishment in the state of confusion arising from internal power struggles, insisting that the ADC was taking advantage of the situation by organising itself for victory.
“When other people are confused, the best way is to organise yourself to excel. The advantage is that they are confused.
They don’t know whether they are in A or B. We are who we are,” he said.
Outlining the party’s economic vision, the ADC chairman promised to tackle insecurity, reverse capital flight and stimulate commerce through tourism and the creative industry.
He said the party was committed to putting “money back in the hands of Rivers people” while unveiling more programmes at the appropriate time.
Dimkpa further urged Rivers residents to resist electoral malpractice by actively defending their votes during the 2027 election.
“Rigging is the beginning of bad governance. Anybody who rigs himself to power can never offer good governance,” he said.
While acknowledging grievances arising from the party’s governorship primaries, the ADC chairman said reconciliation efforts were ongoing to unite all aggrieved members ahead of the election.
He expressed confidence that the party would emerge stronger, insisting that “the liberation of Rivers State has begun, and the process to greatness is in the offing for the state.”
