RismadarVoice Reporters, August 14, 2026
The Ogoni Diaspora Coalition in North America has endorsed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate, Gabriel Pidomson, ahead of the 2027 Rivers State governorship election.
The coalition, comprising Ogoni indigenes in the United States and Canada, also unveiled a digital platform to support its mobilisation and advocacy activities ahead of the election.
In a statement issued after a meeting of the Ogoni Diaspora Support Group on August 9, 2026, the coalition said the platform would be used to publicise Mr Pidomson’s policy proposals, connect supporters and coordinate mobilisation across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State and among Nigerians in the diaspora.
The resolution was signed by the coalition’s Chairman, Cornelius Dumerene; Vice Chairman, Anthony Waadah; and Director of Communications, Ledum Nordee.
The group said its decision to support Mr Pidomson was based on his political and public-sector experience, professional qualifications and academic background.
Mr Pidomson previously served as Secretary to the Rivers State Government and as a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The coalition also highlighted his background as a civil engineer, saying his experience could be useful in addressing infrastructure development, economic planning and public administration.
It said Rivers State required leadership focused on development, institutional accountability and long-term planning.
“Our state cannot afford four more years of political gridlock and recycled promises,” the coalition said.
The group said Mr Pidomson offered what it described as practical solutions based on planning, discipline and accountability.
It, however, stressed that its endorsement should not be interpreted as support for an exclusively Ogoni administration.
“Dr Gabriel Pidomson is not seeking to be an ‘Ogoni governor,’ but a leader for all people of Rivers State,” the coalition said.
It urged political leaders, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, professional groups, youths and women across the state’s three senatorial districts to assess Mr Pidomson and other candidates based on their policies and capacity to govern.
The coalition said its position was informed by concerns over representation and development among the Ogoni people but maintained that its mobilisation efforts would extend beyond Ogoni communities.
It said it planned to build a support network across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
The group identified infrastructure deficits, unemployment, insecurity, environmental challenges, economic difficulties and weak public institutions as some of the major issues the next administration would need to address.
It argued that Mr Pidomson’s previous government positions had given him an understanding of the workings of government and the relationship between the executive and legislature.
The coalition also said his engineering background could be an advantage in tackling infrastructure, transportation, urban development, environmental management and economic diversification.
It described the endorsement as a political choice rather than an ethnic entitlement, urging Rivers voters to evaluate all candidates based on their qualifications, policy proposals, leadership capacity and commitment to the interests of the state.
The endorsement comes as political parties and groups begin preparations and mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
The coalition said its members in North America would continue to engage residents of Rivers State at home and abroad through its digital platform and other channels.
