The African Democratic Congress in Rivers State has commenced its governorship primary election across the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The exercise, which is being held in all 319 wards across Rivers State on Friday, is taking place under the Option A4 voting system, a method that requires party members to openly queue behind the candidate of their choice during voting.
Officials of the party’s National Election Committee were also deployed to supervise the exercise and ensure compliance with party guidelines throughout the state.
Before the commencement of voting, governorship aspirants reportedly held a meeting to discuss the direction of the contest and party unity ahead of the primary election.
During the meeting, two of the seven governorship aspirants stepped down from the race and declared support for Gabriel Pidomson.
Pidomson, a former member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, previously served as Secretary to the Rivers State Government and is regarded as one of the notable contenders in the primary election.
Among those who withdrew from the race was Henry Ugboma, although details surrounding the second withdrawal were not immediately disclosed.
The remaining aspirants participating in the governorship contest include Sokonte Davies, Farah Dagogo, Leloonu Nwibubasa and Allen Hart.
The governorship primary comes at a time when political activities are intensifying across Rivers State, with parties positioning themselves ahead of the next election cycle.
Political observers are expected to closely watch the outcome of the ADC primary, especially amid ongoing political realignments and coalition discussions involving opposition parties nationwide.
The use of the Option A4 system is also expected to attract attention, as the method has historically generated mixed reactions due to its open voting structure.
As voting continues across the wards, party members and stakeholders are awaiting the emergence of the candidate who will eventually fly the ADC flag in the Rivers governorship election.
What you should know
The Option A4 voting system was first introduced during Nigeria’s transition era in the early 1990s and involves voters openly queuing behind their preferred candidates instead of casting secret ballots.
While supporters argue that it improves transparency and reduces ballot manipulation, critics say it can expose voters to intimidation and political pressure. Rivers State remains one of Nigeria’s most politically active states, often attracting national attention during election periods.
The ADC primary comes amid broader opposition coalition conversations ahead of 2027, with several politicians across different parties exploring alliances and strategic realignments as preparations intensify for upcoming governorship and presidential elections.
