Mr Rotimi Amaechi, South-South leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has urged party members in Rivers State to prepare to defeat what he described as “electoral merchandising” in future elections.
Speaking to newsmen at the Port Harcourt International Airport on Wednesday, shortly after ADC stalwarts arrived in the state for the party’s official launch, the former Rivers governor accused certain politicians of manipulating electoral processes.
He charged his supporters to remain united and ready to counter any “evil plot” as the 2027 general elections approach.
Amaechi noted that ADC would make Rivers people happy and assured to set up a committee to oversee registration of new members while urging the people to get registered.
He stated that his party aimed at restoring good governance to the country.
Amaechi, however, promised to support whoever won the ADC presidential ticket through transparent process.
According to him, the aim of the political movement was to enthrone good governance in the country
Also speaking, a former member of Rivers House of Assemble, Mr Azubuike Wanjoku, said that Rivers people were solidly behind Amaechi in his new political aspiration.
He noted that supporters of the former Transportation Minister had been yearning for a new political movement.
The former lawmaker, however, assured the people’s readiness to take their destinies in their own hands during the 2027 polls.
Some of the party members, who were at the airport to welcome them, expressed optimism that Amaechi and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar would pair for the 2027 presidential ticket.
Mr Tele Bathram, a former Rivers governorship aspirant in the 2023 general elections told NAN that he was optimistic of the party’s victory if Amaechi and Atiku got the party’s flag.
Bathram said that the party had put necessary measures in place to take over the 23 Local Government Areas and claim total victory at the grassroots in the state.
He described ADC as a strong coalition of politicians from the opposition parties and dissatisfied members of the ruling party.
He said that the aim of the coalition was to reposition the country’s political landscape.
Mr Christian Akujiobi, an ADC supporter, said that since the emergence of the present administration, citizens, especially in Rivers, had suffered so much deprivation.
Akujiobi said that ADC stood as the only option with which the state could reclaim its glory and urged residents to rally support for the party.
However, Mr Williams Ndamiete, a Port Harcourt resident, said that the journey of taking over Rivers by the ADC had been marred by distrust.
“Amaechi has lost support here in Rivers; he can no longer be taken seriously anymore; he abandoned his supporters while chasing national relevance.
“He may see a rented crowd welcoming him today but not committed followers because those ones have moved on,” he said..
