The Rivers State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised Dr Sokonte Davies, a former political ally of the party’s vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, after he joined the Rainbow Coalition led by the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Politics Nigeria reports that the party’s reaction followed a photograph showing Davies alongside Wike and other members of the coalition on Wednesday.
Davies was among the aspirants who contested the ADC governorship primary in Rivers State but failed to secure the party’s ticket.
In a statement signed by the ADC Rivers State chapter, Chizy Enyi, the party said it received Davies’ new political alignment with “considerable amusement.”
The party linked his decision to his failure to win the ADC governorship ticket, questioning why he moved to a coalition that does not have a governorship ticket to offer him.
“Dr. Davies contested for the ADC governorship ticket and did not secure it. Apparently, the disappointment has now taken him on an interesting political journey, from seeking the ticket of a political party to joining a coalition that has no governorship ticket to give him,” the statement said.
The ADC added that if Davies’ grievance was his inability to secure the party’s ticket, it would have expected him to move to an organisation where such a ticket was available.
“If the grievance was about not getting a governorship ticket in the ADC, one would have expected the next destination to be somewhere a governorship ticket was actually available,” the party said.
Despite its criticism, the ADC said it had no ill feelings towards Davies and recognised his right to determine his political future.
“The ADC bears Dr. Davies no ill will. Politics is a matter of choice, and he is entitled to make his,” it said.
The party maintained that Davies’ departure would not affect its preparations for the 2027 elections, saying it already had a governorship candidate, a distinct political identity and a campaign to take to the people of Rivers State.
“For us, there is no distraction. The ADC has a governorship candidate, a clear political identity and a campaign to prosecute before the Rivers people,” the statement added.
The party concluded by wishing Davies well in his new political alignment.
“We wish Dr. Sokonte Davies well on his journey across the rainbow,” it said.
Meanwhile, the ADC in Edo State has alleged that its members were attacked by armed men during a political engagement in Igueben Local Government Area.
The party’s Publicity Secretary in the state, Chris Ojeikere, alleged in a statement on Tuesday that the Igueben Local Government Chairman led a group of armed men who attacked the entourage of Kenneth Imasuangbon and the party’s Edo Central senatorial candidate, Herbeta Okonofua.
According to the party, an ADC Ward 6 member, Jerry Oliha, was shot at the premises of the Enogie of Igueben.
The party said Oliha was taken to Irrua Specialist Hospital, where doctors were treating him, adding that the incident represented the third alleged shooting involving the entourage in the local government area that day.
It alleged that the earlier incidents occurred in Ward 4 and Ward 5 before the reported attack at the Enogie’s premises.
The ADC further accused the APC of being behind a series of attacks on its members and campaign infrastructure across the state, alleging that similar incidents had been recorded in Etsako East, Owan West and Owan East.
It also linked the alleged attacks to comments attributed to Jarrett Tenebe, while describing the latest incident as part of what it called a pattern of political violence.
The party said bullets recovered from the scene were handed over to the police and the Enogie, while canopies, chairs and musical instruments worth millions of naira were allegedly destroyed during the attack.
The ADC said it would release a comprehensive report on what it described as the alleged violence against its members and infrastructure.
It added that the Divisional Police Officer in Igueben had been informed of the incident and was involved in the matter.
