The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Rivers State, Gabriel Pidomson, has challenged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to an open debate on the state’s governance and development over the past 12 years.
Pidomson issued the challenge while accusing Wike of allegedly interfering in the political activities of the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Kingsley Chinda, ahead of the February governorship election.
The ADC candidate alleged that Wike was preventing Chinda from having direct engagement with Rivers residents and presenting his manifesto to the electorate, insisting that the APC candidate should be allowed to explain his plans and vision for the state without relying on the minister.
In a video shared, Pidomson criticised Wike’s eight-year administration as governor, accusing him of failing to adequately address the developmental needs of Rivers State.
He also alleged that the minister had continued to exercise political control over the state through proxy leadership in the three years following his departure from office.
Describing Rivers State as a failed project, Pidomson questioned the management of the state’s resources over the last 12 years and challenged Wike to publicly account for the funds and projects executed during the period.
The ADC candidate maintained that the forthcoming election should be about issues affecting the people, including infrastructure, economic development, employment opportunities and improved living conditions, rather than political influence and personal interests.
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He further insisted that Rivers residents deserved an opportunity to hear directly from those seeking political leadership and assess their capacity to deliver on their promises.
Pidomson said if Wike believed he had performed creditably during his years as governor and still wielded significant influence over the state’s political direction, he should accept the debate challenge and defend his record before the people.
He added that the APC must present its candidate to the electorate and allow him to speak for himself rather than creating the impression that Wike remains the central figure in the party’s governorship campaign.
The challenge comes amid growing political activities and disagreements among political stakeholders in Rivers State ahead of the February election.
