Former Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Gabriel Pidomson, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Rivers State following the party’s primary election.
Pidomson secured 112,086 votes in the exercise conducted across the 23 local government areas of the state, defeating four other aspirants in the race.
The Chairman of the ADC Primary Election Committee in Rivers State, Carol Obaro, announced the outcome late on Saturday night after the collation of results at the party’s secretariat in Port Harcourt.
According to the final tally, Sokonte Davies finished second with 16,872 votes, while former Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant, Farah Dagogo, came third after polling 2,369 votes.
Other contenders in the election included Leloonu Nwibubasa, who recorded 1,476 votes, Allen Ezekiel Hart, who scored 268 votes, and Henry Ogbonna, who polled 546 votes.
While declaring the winner, Obaro said Pidomson met all constitutional and party requirements, having secured the highest number of valid votes cast during the primary.
Obaro stated: “Therefore, the highest score here is 112,086 votes for Gabriel Pidomson. He has satisfied the requirements of the ADC and the constitution, scored the highest votes, and is hereby declared the winner of the primary election and returned elected as the ADC gubernatorial candidate in Rivers State this 22nd day of May, 2026.
“I, Hon. Carol Obaro, as Chairman of the Primary Election Committee in Rivers State, so declare.”
Speaking after his emergence, Pidomson appreciated the other contestants for their conduct during the exercise, noting that the party remained united despite the competition.
Seven aspirants had initially indicated interest in contesting the party’s governorship ticket in the state.
It was gathered that six of the seven aspirants attended a meeting on Friday where party leaders considered adopting a consensus arrangement instead of proceeding with a full primary election.
Allen Ezekiel Hart, one of the aspirants, was absent from the meeting.
Two aspirants reportedly agreed to step down in favour of Gabriel Pidomson, while others rejected the arrangement and insisted on proceeding with the primary election to test their popularity.
The meeting was said to have ended around 12 midnight or 1am on Friday.
Don’t Miss
Tinubu floors rival in Bauchi APC presidential primary, polls 156,541 votes
