The Rivers State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has warned that any attempt to manipulate the outcome of the 2027 presidential election in the state will be resisted.
NDC chairman in Rivers, Success Jack, made the declaration while reacting to comments by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over the 2023 presidential election in Rivers.
Wike had said he and members of the defunct G-5 Governors deliberately stopped Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate at the time, from winning Rivers State in the 2023 election.
The former Rivers governor explained that the G-5 had adopted a political strategy aimed at preventing former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the then Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, from benefiting from the PDP’s traditional strength in the South-South.
According to Wike, the group encouraged Obi’s support in some South-South states but decided against allowing him to win Rivers because of the political implications of such an outcome.
Reacting to the development, Jack said the NDC was not intimidated by Wike’s remarks, insisting that the electoral environment had changed significantly since 2023.
He maintained that voters would closely monitor the process at polling units and ensure that results were transmitted appropriately.
“What the Minister said doesn’t worry me a bit because the electoral system has changed. I heard of some magic they want to do, but I doubt if that will be possible.
“When people vote, they have to police it to make sure that it is transmitted at the polling units and then police it to make sure that it is transmitted at the local government collation centres,” Jack said.
The NDC chairman also dismissed concerns that security agencies could be deployed to intimidate voters, arguing that such a strategy would face resistance from the electorate.
“There are talks about using security agencies to intimidate voters, but I’m not sure that will work. I’m not sure that a security agent will come to one polling unit and kill everyone.
“Whatever the Minister said, I wish him well, but not in our Rivers State,” he added.
Meanwhile, the NDC has disclosed that consultations are at an advanced stage for the constitution and inauguration of its Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party said its presidential candidate and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had been given the latitude to nominate most of the principal officers of the campaign council.
According to a statement signed by the NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, Obi and Kwankwaso had held several meetings with the party’s National Leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, and other leaders as part of the ongoing consultations.
The party said a comprehensive organogram for the campaign structure was prepared in August and shared with the two candidates for their input, while nominations had also been received from stakeholders across the country.
“The party leadership has given a free hand to the presidential candidate and his running mate to make nominations,” the statement said.
The party explained that Obi and Kwankwaso would nominate the Director-General, Deputy Director-General (North), campaign spokesman and deputy, Head of New Media, Finance Director and Deputy Finance Director, among other principal officers.
It added that the Finance Director and deputy would work with the party’s National Treasurer to manage campaign funds.
According to the NDC, the arrangement was designed to promote transparency in the management of campaign finances and ensure compliance with the reporting requirements of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).