In a significant development ahead of the 2027 Rivers State gubernatorial election, a former member of the House of Representatives, Farah Dagogo, has claimed a decisive victory in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship primary.
Mr Dagogo reportedly secured the party’s ticket via a direct primary election conducted across all 319 wards within the 23 local government areas of the state. He polled 64,700 votes to defeat his closest rival, Sokonte Davies, who garnered 9,050 votes.
According to the statistics provided by Mr Dagogo, the official results were declared by Agu Bryan, Chairman of the ADC Rivers State Governorship Primary Electoral Committee, in the presence of committee members and representatives from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Reacting to his emergence as the flagbearer, Mr Dagogo expressed his gratitude to the ADC leadership and its general membership for their vote of confidence. He described the outcome not as a personal triumph, but as a victory belonging collectively to the party and the citizens of Rivers State.
“I wish to express my profound gratitude to the leadership and members of the African Democratic Congress in Rivers State for the confidence reposed in me by electing me as the party’s governorship candidate for the forthcoming election,” Mr Dagogo stated.
Acknowledging that the primary featured a field of highly qualified aspirants, the lawmaker-turned-candidate emphasised the need to avoid internal friction moving forward.
“This victory is not mine alone; it belongs to every member of our great party and every Rivers citizen who believes in the possibility of a better future for our state,” he noted. “In this journey, there is no victor and no vanquished, only partners united by a common vision to reposition Rivers State for progress and prosperity.”
Looking ahead to the general election, Mr Dagogo urged the people of Rivers State to transcend partisan divisions and embrace a spirit of collective responsibility. He maintained that the task of developing the state supersedes individual political ambitions, focusing instead on establishing a secure, functional, and economically viable environment.
In his address, the ADC candidate pledged to build upon the foundations laid by the state’s previous leaders. He explicitly referenced the tenures of former governors Alfred Diete-Spiff, Ada George, Peter Odili, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and Nyesom Wike, as well as the incumbent Governor, Siminalayi Fubara. Mr Dagogo affirmed that his administration would actively learn from both the achievements and the shortcomings of past governments to ensure sustainable, people-centred governance.
Mr Dagogo further assured the electorate that his campaign would strictly avoid the pitfalls of character assassination, promising a platform built entirely on policy and practical solutions.
“We will not engage in mudslinging, personal attacks or divisive politics,” he concluded. “Instead, we will present clear policies and actionable plans on how to improve security, provide affordable and quality education, empower youths, create jobs and economic opportunities, strengthen healthcare delivery and restore the pride and dignity of Rivers State.”
Leave a comment