RismadarVoice Reporters
October 26, 2026
The Rivers State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has inaugurated a 600-member Governorship Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections, accusing the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of neglecting critical sectors of the state.
The council, chaired by former Senator Andrew Uchendu, has former Port Harcourt City Local Government Chairman Chimbiko Akarolo as its Director-General.
The inauguration took place in Port Harcourt on Monday, with the state chairman of the party, Chief Chukwudi Dimkpa, formally assigning responsibility for coordinating the governorship campaign to the council.
Dimkpa urged members to demonstrate discipline, unity and accountability while carrying out their responsibilities in accordance with the party’s constitution and applicable electoral laws.
He explained that the council would operate under the overall authority and policy direction of the state party leadership.
Speaking after his inauguration, Uchendu criticised the political situation in Rivers State, alleging that prolonged disagreements among political leaders had weakened governance and diverted attention from the needs of residents.
He accused the Fubara administration of failing to adequately address challenges in healthcare, education, road infrastructure, electricity and access to clean water.
Uchendu also alleged that outstanding hospital bills had affected the availability of essential medicines, while inadequate facilities continued to undermine learning conditions in some public schools.
The allegations were not accompanied by independently verified figures or a detailed assessment of the affected institutions.
The former senator argued that Rivers State’s considerable economic resources should translate into better public services and improved living conditions.
He further expressed concern about political interference in public institutions, insisting that the executive, legislature and judiciary should operate within their constitutional responsibilities.
According to Uchendu, government institutions must serve the collective interests of Rivers residents rather than those of individual political actors.
He charged members of the campaign council to extend the party’s activities across the state’s 23 local government areas.
The council chairman also called for an issue-based and peaceful campaign, urging members to avoid violence and promote cooperation among communities.
Uchendu said the party intended to focus its campaign on governance, institutional stability, public accountability and improvements in essential services.
He further emphasised the importance of credible elections, maintaining that voters should be able to participate freely and have their votes counted.
The inauguration follows the ADC’s earlier announcement of the campaign council’s leadership and organisational structure in October.
The Fubara administration’s response to the allegations was not included in the reports reviewed.
