The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dr. Gabriel Pidomson has sought the backing of the Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organization, urging the group to support a power shift to the Ogoni after years of leadership rotating among other ethnic nationalities in Rivers State.
Led by state party chairman Chief Engr. Chukwudi Dimkpa, Pidomson and his running mate, David Okumgba, visited the Obiri Ikwerre Complex.
Dimkpa presented Pidomson as not just a candidate but an Ikwerre son, noting that the candidate once lived in Elele and often uses the Ikwerre name “Otulem.”
Pidomson told the gathering that political power in Rivers had moved from the Ijaw to the Orashi and then to the Ikwerre.
He appealed to the Ikwerre, as current custodians of the state’s leadership, to back a shift to the Ogoni. He recalled historic ties between Ogoni leaders such as Sir Edward Kobani, Sen. Bennett Birabi and G.B. Leton and Ikwerre figures including Obi Wali, calling for the two groups to maintain their longstanding solidarity.
The candidate said he sought Ikwerre support not merely as an Ogoni man or ADC flagbearer, but as the person best placed to deliver change.
He also urged the people to resist what he called “state capture by one man” that was undermining the destiny of the Ikwerre and Rivers people at large.
Pidomson further asked the Ikwerre to rally behind Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who would become vice president if the ADC wins the presidential election, a position he described as more significant than another governorship for an Ikwerre son at this time.
He assured traditional rulers his administration would respect their institutions and not punish them for hosting political consultations.
Ogbakor Ikwerre President-General HRM Eze Barr. Godspower Woke Onuekwa welcomed the team, affirmed the Ikwerre people’s identification with the Ogoni through shared history and solidarity, and offered prayers and blessings.
Other members of Ogbakor Ikwerre advised the Rivers ADC campaign to stay faithful and resist inducements, stressing that “one vice president is bigger than ten governors.”
