Five governorship candidates in Rivers State have committed to prioritizing the people's expectations by signing the Rivers 2027 Citizens' Charter of Demands. The charter was signed at the seventh edition of The Rivers We Want Town Hall Series, themed "Rivers 2027: The People's Agenda," in Port Harcourt. The signatories included Dr. Gabriel Pidomson of the African Democratic Congress, Barr Ivy West of the African Action Congress, Rev. Minaibim Harry of the National Rescue Movement, Prof. Ben John of the Social Democratic Party, and Chief Nature Kieghe of the People's Redemption Party.
The Rivers 2027 Citizens' Charter of Demands outlines citizens' expectations in key areas such as employment generation, education, healthcare, security, infrastructure, economic growth, and environmental protection. The charter was presented by Dr. Frank Nelson and the Rivers State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Comrade Samuel Ogan. The candidates also presented their respective programs for the state, highlighting job creation, improved education, accessible healthcare, security, and infrastructure development as key areas of focus.
The town hall series, organized by the Rivers Peace Initiative in partnership with Super 93.3 FM, the Centre for Peace and Security Studies, University of Port Harcourt, and the Trade Union Congress, Rivers State Council, drew about 170 participants. The initiative aims to keep the demands of Rivers people at the center of the 2027 electoral process, ensuring that elected leaders are held accountable for their commitments.
The Chairman of the Civil Liberties Organisation in Rivers State, Mr. Sunny Dada, called for improved governance, accountability, and effective leadership in the state ahead of the 2027 governorship election. He identified major challenges confronting Rivers State, including governance, economic development, and security, and stressed the need for political leaders to address these issues.
The Convener of the Rivers Peace Initiative, Mr. Obinna Ebogidi, emphasized that the 2027 governorship election should prioritize the needs and expectations of Rivers people over partisan considerations. He advocated for a governance process that places the interests of the electorate above party loyalty and ensures that political promises translate into tangible development.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, warned that anyone who threatens, intimidates, or attacks INEC personnel during the 2027 General Election will face the full weight of the law. He disclosed that the South-South engagement was part of a series of zonal assessments to ensure operational preparedness across the region.
The INEC Chairman identified three critical pillars of the ICCES Tentacle framework, designed to guarantee safe access to polling units and protect electoral personnel and infrastructure. He emphasized that the framework would provide comprehensive protection for electoral personnel, technological infrastructure, and voters, ensuring that every polling unit remains safe and accessible for the exercise of democratic rights.
Key points
- Five Rivers State governorship candidates have signed a charter to prioritize citizens' demands if elected in 2027.
- The charter outlines citizens' expectations in key areas such as employment generation, education, and healthcare.
- The initiative aims to hold elected leaders accountable for their commitments to the electorate.
