Ahead of the 2027 General Elections, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Rivers State, Dr. Leloonu Nwibubasar has assured supporters that the party would overcome its present challenges and put up strong opposition in the elections.
Nwibubasar, who is the Convener of Rivers Liberation Movement (RLM), stated this at a Rivers Professionals Roundtable held in Port Harcourt.
The former Rivers Commissioner for Employment Generation, described the decision to delist National Executives of the party led by Senator David Mark as ‘criminal,’ adding that the decision won’t stand.
”ADC as a party, we’ll overcome our challenges. What you have seen was a criminal interpretation of a court judgment by INEC and it will not stand. The good thing is that the substantive matter is still before the Federal High Court. And that will be decided. And of course, ADC will bounce back, ” he said.
He noted that despite the action by INEC, the party’s membership is increasing by the day.
”If you check online, within when the INEC started, their persecution of ADC, we had a surge in our registration of above 651,000 people registering within the period. That’s to tell you that Nigerians are interested in an organized opposition. Every fight against ADC is a fight against the Nigerian people and no person in government will be able to fight the Nigerian people, ” Nwibubasar added.
Speaking on Rivers politics, the medical practitioner-turned politician emphasized that the state has suffered so much backwardness in terms of development since after the exit of Chibuike Amaechi as governor. He said RLM has identified the ADC as a vehicle for which they can bring back the state on the pedestal of development.
He charged professionals in the state to come on board politics to reposition the state and make it competitive with other states.
”As of today, the Rivers Liberation Movement has identified the African Democratic Congress as a party through which we can express our ambition and ensure that River State returns to its pride of place.
”We want to bring Rivers State to that track of development where our green sector will be developed, where our education, our green schools will return, where our health sector will return. That is the essence of getting professionals to be involved.
”My singular charge to professionals is to wake up, get involved, participate in politics, decide the future of leadership and decide the future of your state, ” Nwibubasar stated.
The RLM convener expressed strong hope that the ADC can upset the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
”The option of fear is not on the table. We are moving with courage and with faith that with proper mobilization, which we are achieving, we will upturn the sadistic guides that has kept our country lame and our state in doldrums, ” he maintained.
Guest lecturer at the event, Dr Wejie-Okachi Chwhilem while speaking on the topic, “Reclamiming Our Place in Governance, ” said available statistic between 2014 and 2024 has shown a gross decline in development in Rivers State, urging professionals not to sit on the fence, but to get involved in shaping decisions affecting the development of the state.
”Rivers State is not working as it should, a fact evident to all and supported by statistics comparing 2014 and 2024 parameters.The question is whether to accept the situation or take action.
”The event is a call to rekindle interest amongst professionals to get politically aware, get involved and not leave it to a few, ” he stated.
