A group, The Rivers Alternative (TRA) has endorsed the governorship candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs as its preferred candidate for Rivers State in the 2027 general elections.
The group also endorsed other candidates across party lines for National and State Assembly seats.
Convener of the group, Comrade Somina Wokoma who made the declaration at an event in Port Harcourt, said the group decided to present Lulu-Briggs as the alternative candidate for Rivers State because they see him as the only one with the political will and bouyancy to wrestle power from the claws of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike and his candidates in the forthcoming elections.
He said the battle ahead for the state requires men with strong will and political independence to rescue the state from its current state.
He also said Lulu-Briggs enjoys massive support of majority of Rivers people out of the several candidates reviewed by the group.
Wokoma said: “But after consultation with all of them, we, the Rivers Alternative, we saw it that among these candidates, the person that can actually fight for Rivers people to bring victory to Rivers State is Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs.
“He is without a godfather and nobody will say, Dumo, I’m giving you money. The money I’m giving to you is to make you loyal to me”.
He said although, there are other brilliant candidates from the riverine extraction and other parts of the state vying for the governorship position, but doubt their bouyancy and financial warchest to wrestle with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and their candidates in the state.
“Other candidates that are from the riverine extraction, by our assessments, they are not financially strong to fight this fight and bring victory to us. Not that they don’t have the brains, they have the brains. In fact, among the candidates, in the different parties, we have seen their blueprints. These men have something upstairs, but the election is beyond that.
“We also studied the pulse of Rivers people. Rivers people love Dumo Lulu-Briggs and they want to work for him, ” he added.
The group also said Lulu-Briggs has shown sportsmanship, respect for elders and support for the Ijaw nation, citing his voluntary relinguishment of his case against Governor Siminialayi Fubara’s election at the Supreme Court following intervention of an Ijaw elder.
The group frowned at Governor Fubara for not doing enough to protect the interest of the state amidst the political battle between him and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. TRA said Lulu-Briggs will defend Rivers State against external political aggression.
“We have experienced what has not happened before in the democracy of Nigeria. That an elected Governor, an elected House of Assembly members will go on suspension for 6 months. That has taken River State backward for 6 months.
“We cannot continue like that and that is where the Rivers Alternative is born. We must have an alternative candidate.This candidate is not someone like Sim Fubara, that does not have the liver to stand for the rights and privileges of Rivers State, that cannot stand to defend and protect Rivers State, ” the group added.
The group warned that allowing Wike to impose his candidate Ogundu Kingsley Chinda on the state would not be in the best interest of every Rivers person.
Other candidates endorsed by the group includes Dr. Awaji-Inombek Abiante (NDC- Rivers South East Senatorial District), Idu Iduoku Ibisime ( Labour Party- Rivers West Senatorial District), Boma Goodhead (APP- Asari-Toru/Akuku-Toru Federal Constituency), Ndamati Onunwor (NDC- Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency) and Owubokiri Tamunotonye (NDC- Okrika/Ogu/Bolo Federal Constituency).
Others are; Dr. Oduye Tom-West ( APP- Asari-Toru Constituency 2), Prince Richard Egblekro (NDC- Asari-Toru Constituency 1) and Daddy Kelvin Gigi (ADC- Port Harcourt Constituency 2).
