The African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rivers State Chapter, has faulted the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over his dismissive remarks concerning the governorship ambition of Sir (Dr.) Gabriel Baritulem Pidomson.
The party said Rivers State was not the private political estate of any individual, stressing that the right to seek public office was not a privilege granted by a former governor or serving minister.
In a press statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Chizy Enyi, the ADC questioned Wike’s assertion that Pidomson lacked the capacity to contest the governorship election.
The party asked when a politician’s personal assessment became the constitutional standard for determining who was qualified to seek public office.
It maintained that political capacity should be assessed based on verifiable qualifications, leadership experience, public engagement and credible programmes rather than declarations about who could or could not contest an election.
The ADC also insisted that the democratic process must remain open to all constitutionally qualified aspirants, regardless of their political connections or relationships with influential officeholders.
Rather than reducing political discourse to personalities, the party urged Wike and other political leaders to focus on the challenges confronting Rivers State, including unemployment, infrastructure, security, education and economic opportunities.
The statement further said Rivers people deserved the freedom to assess candidates and make their choices without political intimidation or attempts to predetermine the outcome of an election.
“No politician, however influential, possesses the authority to speak for every voter in Rivers State,” the party said.
Reaffirming its commitment to issue-based political engagement and respect for democratic institutions, the ADC stressed that the electorate had the ultimate responsibility for determining who governed the state.
“The ballot belongs to the people. Their verdict cannot be replaced by the pronouncements of any political being,” the statement added.
