2027 Elections: No Winning Through Intimidation, Says Rivers ADC

The African Democratic Congress has said no politician in Rivers State can win the upcoming 2027 elections by boasting or making empty promises to the people.

Chukwudi Dimkpa, the ADC Chairman in Rivers State, made this known in a statement on Monday in Port Harcourt.

Dimkpa was responding to comments made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Wike said at a civic reception in Omagwa on Saturday that Rotimi Amaechi, the ADC's vice-presidential candidate, would be defeated by 12 noon on election day.

But Dimkpa insisted that Wike’s claim about Amaechi losing by noon on election day does not hold water.

"Elections are not won by boasts, intimidation or political strongmen announcing results in advance. Rivers people will vote, the votes will be counted, and INEC, not Wike, will declare the winner," he stated.

Dimkpa added, "On a day when Rotimi Amaechi was burying his mother and people from across Nigeria were travelling to Ubima, his hometown, to commiserate with the family, Wike and the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Charles Wobodo, chose that same route for a political reception. They obstructed part of the road, created unnecessary traffic, and turned the event into a platform for attacking and taunting a man who was mourning his mother."

He described this act as insensitive, provocative, and embarrassing.

The ADC chairman emphasized that there is a time for politics and a time for humanity. He said, "If Wike could not pause his political obsession with Amaechi even for a few hours during the burial, then Rivers people should ask themselves who is really consumed by this rivalry."

He continued, "We refused to dignify the provocation with a response because our focus was on giving Mama (Dame Ezinne Amaechi) a proper burial.

"But Wike should understand that Rivers State belongs to all of us. Nobody owns the people, nobody owns their votes, and certainly, nobody can declare an election result by 12 noon."

Dimkpa urged Rivers people not to be intimidated by anyone. He encouraged them to make the right choice in 2027 by electing a credible leader who would bring value to their lives.