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Dr. Allen Idaso Ezekiel-Hart rejects the African Democratic Congress governorship primary in Rivers State, alleging manipulation by former Governor Rotimi Amaechi to impose a preferred candidate.
An aspirant in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) gubernatorial primary election in Rivers State, Dr. Allen Idaso Ezekiel-Hart, has rejected the outcome of the exercise, describing it as a shambolic charade allegedly orchestrated by former Governor Rotimi Amaechi to impose a preferred candidate.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Saturday, Ezekiel-Hart claimed that the primary produced three different governorship candidates, warning that the development could plunge the party into crisis ahead of the 2027 general elections if the national leadership fails to intervene.
Allegations Of Manipulation And Exclusion
Ezekiel-Hart alleged that contrary to the party’s official timetable fixing May 23 for the governorship primary, aspirants were suddenly informed late Friday that the exercise had been moved forward.
According to him, while he was mobilising supporters across the 23 local government areas, another aspirant, Farah Dagogo, informed him that a parallel process had already been conducted earlier in the day without his knowledge.
He accused the state party chairman, Chief Chukwudi Dimkpa, of selectively inviting only five aspirants believed to be loyal to Amaechi, excluding himself and Dagogo.
Ezekiel-Hart further alleged that three aspirants were persuaded to step down for Thompson in what he described as a disguised consensus arrangement, despite the party’s public insistence that no consensus candidate would emerge.
“Three Winners In One Primary That Never Held”
Ezekiel-Hart disclosed that Dagogo later approached him with a proposal for both men to jointly resist Amaechi’s camp, but also allegedly asked him to publicly congratulate him as the winner.
He claimed that Dagogo even offered him political compensation, including a possible Secretary to the State Government appointment, if he endorsed his self-declared victory.
Rejecting the offer, Ezekiel-Hart said he declared himself winner after Dagogo and Thompson both made similar declarations.
Accusations Against Amaechi
Ezekiel-Hart accused Amaechi of attempting to replicate a culture of political imposition, questioning his credibility in demanding transparent presidential primaries while allegedly manipulating state-level processes.
He also criticised Amaechi for his political role in the 2015 presidential transition, alleging that he owed the South-South an apology for “mortgaging the political future of the region.”
Call For NWC Intervention
Ezekiel-Hart urged the ADC National Working Committee (NWC) to nullify the disputed exercise and either conduct a fresh primary or adopt a lawful consensus arrangement in line with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) timetable.
He also warned Dagogo against invoking Atiku Abubakar’s name to justify his claim of victory.
Commitment To Party Processes
Ezekiel-Hart pledged to pursue his grievances within the party’s constitutional framework, stating that he would not destabilize the ADC but would continue to demand recognition as the legitimate winner.