The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of governorship candidates for Rivers State. This was contained in a document released by the commission on Saturday, October 11, 2026. The list is ahead of the 2027 general elections. INEC named Chinda Kingsley Ogundu as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The electoral body also listed Dumo Lulu-Briggs as the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate.
The INEC document listed 25 candidates for the Rivers State governorship election. Gabriel Pidomson Baritulem was listed as the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Other parties and their candidates include Chibuzor Israel Rain of the Action Alliance (AA) and West Ivy of the Action Alliance of Nigeria (AAN). Lawson Anyanate Angel was listed as the candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP).
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate is Idoniboye-Obu Omangima. The Action Peoples Movement (APM) candidate is Whyte Churchill Dagogo. Atata Okechukwu Kenneth was listed as the candidate of the Action Peoples Party (APP). Benjamin Abednego Oli was listed as the candidate of the Boot Party (BP). Warigbani Ezekiel Zebulun was listed as the candidate of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA).
Boms Chima Ernest was listed as the Labour Party (LP) candidate. Opusonju Silva was listed as the National Democratic Party (NDP) candidate. Pepple Wari Dienye was listed as the National Network for Progressive People (NNPP) candidate. Minaibim Harry was listed as the National Rescue Movement (NRM) candidate. Ejekwu Samuel Soni was listed as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate.
The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) candidate is Kieghe Nature Dumale. Ben-Gurion J. Peter was listed as the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate. Hart Victor Godwin was listed as the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) candidate. INEC released the list to ensure transparency and compliance with electoral laws.
The release of the final list is a major milestone in the preparations for the 2027 general elections. The elections are expected to be highly competitive, with many candidates vying for the Rivers State governorship seat. The INEC list is a guide for voters and political parties.
The Rivers State governorship election is expected to be closely watched by Nigerians and international observers. The election is part of the 2027 general elections, which will see the election of new leaders at the federal and state levels. INEC has assured Nigerians of its commitment to free and fair elections.
Key points
- INEC releases final list of 25 governorship candidates for Rivers State
- Chinda Kingsley Ogundu is APC candidate, Dumo Lulu-Briggs is NDC candidate
- Elections are part of 2027 general elections, to be closely watched by observers
