Rivers voters 2027 election warning emerges as ADC chieftain Eze urges residents to avoid past mistakes and choose a new political direction
Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has urged Rivers State residents to avoid repeating what he described as the mistakes of the 2015 governorship election ahead of the 2027 polls.
Also read: Presidency insists Peter Obi lost 2023 presidential election
Eze made the appeal in a statement on Tuesday, arguing that the political and developmental challenges facing the state today were linked to decisions made during the 2015 election, when voters rejected the then All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside.
According to him, former Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi had appealed to Rivers people at the time to support Peterside, whom he described as capable of sustaining the development achievements recorded between 2007 and 2015.
Eze said the outcome of that election set the state on a different political path, which he claimed had resulted in years of division, insecurity and institutional challenges.
“The people now know better. They have experienced the consequences of placing personal ambition above the collective interest of the State,” Eze said.
The ADC chieftain’s remarks form part of renewed political discussions ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with opposition figures positioning the contest as an opportunity for voters to make a fresh choice.
Eze also criticised what he described as attempts by influential political figures to control the future leadership of Rivers State, warning against what he called political godfatherism.
“No individual, regardless of his political influence, owns Rivers State. The era of political godfatherism must come to an end,” he stated.
He argued that Rivers people should be allowed to freely determine their preferred leaders through a democratic process, adding that any attempt to impose candidates would undermine the authority of voters.
Reflecting on the state’s political history since the return of democracy in 1999, Eze noted that the governorship has largely remained within the upland axis through administrations led by Peter Odili, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and Nyesom Wike.
He said efforts to maintain power within the same political circle could affect fairness and inclusion among the state’s various communities.
Eze expressed support for the ADC governorship candidate, Dr. Gabriel Pidomson, describing his emergence as historically significant because he comes from the Ogoni axis, which he said has yet to produce a governor, deputy governor, chief judge or speaker of the state House of Assembly.
He argued that supporting candidates from previously underrepresented areas could strengthen unity and promote a sense of belonging among Rivers residents.
Also read: Presidency insists Peter Obi lost 2023 presidential election
As political activities gradually intensify ahead of 2027, Eze urged voters to consider the future of the state and use the election as an opportunity to rebuild confidence in governance.
“The 2027 election presents another opportunity to restore hope, rebuild institutions, and return Rivers State to the path of progress,” he said.
