By Olusegun Samuel Precious
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially released the final list of candidates cleared for the 2027 Rivers State Governorship Election, setting the stage for a heated political contest for the state’s seat of power, the Brick House.
According to the official document published by the electoral umpire, a total of 19 political parties and their flagbearers have been cleared to participate in the upcoming governorship election.
Among the prominent contenders cleared for the race are Rt. Hon. Kingsley Chinda of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Gabriel Baritulem Pidomson of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and Samuel Soni Ejekwu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The official INEC publication outlines the candidates and running mates across all participating parties:
APC: Kingsley Chinda (Running Mate: Pending/Not Stated)
NDC: Dumo Lulu-Briggs (Running Mate: Mike Barieenee Nwielaghi)
ADC: Gabriel Baritulem Pidomson (Running Mate: David Amapakaye Okumgba)
PDP: Samuel Soni Ejekwu (Running Mate: Ehuwa Kabaka)
ACCORD: Chibuzor Rani (Running Mate: Davies Ikubogh)
APP: Kenneth Atata (Running Mate: Kelvin Dappa)
ADP: Angel Lawson (Running Mate: Regina Azunwena)
BP: Benjamin Oli (Running Mate: Not Listed)
DLA: Zebulum Warighani (Running Mate: Joseph Udo)
NRM: Harry Minaibim (Running Mate: Ogonda Ada Iwedi)
SDP: Gideon Azimiku (Running Mate: Ogochukwu Hekerem)
PRP: Nature Dumale Kiegha (Running Mate: Deborah Membere)
ZLP: Harry Victor Godwin (Running Mate: Nnamdi Agumba)
APGA: Obu Omangima (Running Mate: Geraldine John-Woke)
AAC: West Ivy (Running Mate: Ijendu Eletuo)
AA: Benjamin Israel Eke (Running Mate: Charles Awortu)
NNPP: Georgewell Abiye (Running Mate: Raymond Gbimadee)
YPP: Johnbull Obrasu (Running Mate: Celestine Taagaloobari)
APM: Whyte Churchill (Running Mate: Bardom Zaavalo)
The publication of the list marks the formal commencement of the decisive leg in the state’s political calendar, as candidates prepare to launch campaign drives across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
