Rivers ADC Candidate Appears With Herbalists After Vowing to Come After Election Riggers

A fresh video from Rivers State has led to reactions after ADC governorship candidate Gabriel Baritulem Pidomson was seen travelling with a group of traditionally dressed men carrying objects believed to be associated with traditional practices.

The men, who appeared to be accompanying Pidomson, were dressed in traditional attire as they moved with the candidate.

It is unclear where the group was heading or the purpose of the visit, while there is no independent confirmation that the men were herbalists.

Pidomson’s appearance with the group comes shortly after he warned that he would personally confront anyone who allegedly manipulates the outcome of the 2027 governorship election in Rivers State.

The ADC candidate had said he would not challenge a rigged election through the courts, insisting that those responsible would have to answer directly to him.

“We are going to stop them from rigging. For me, I don’t believe that somebody will just go and write and announce results, then think it will end in court. I’m not going to court.

“If you rig my results and I know you, I will follow you after the election. It will not just end there,” he said.

His comments came amid allegations of harassment and molestation of ADC members in the state, with the party campaigning against what it says could be attempts to interfere with the 2027 electoral process.

Pidomson has also raised allegations about plans to manipulate the election, including claims that some political actors could attempt to hijack election materials and produce false results. The allegations have not been independently established.

In one of his recent statements, the ADC candidate accused a group he referred to as “Rainbow Confusion” of planning to interfere with the election.

“The Rainbow Confusion and their allies are not planning a free and fair election in 2027.

“Their only plan is to hijack election materials, write fake results, and enslave you and your children,” he said.

The candidate also alleged that money and food were being used to influence voters.

Pidomson emerged as the ADC governorship candidate after winning the party’s primary election held in May.

He secured 112,086 votes to defeat four other aspirants in the contest conducted across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State.

Pidomson is a former Secretary to the Rivers State Government.

In a related development, an elder statesman in Rivers State, Wenenda Wali, has faulted the ADC over what he described as its weak presence in the state.

According to him, the party does little on the ground while talking about winning elections in 2027.

Wali made the remarks in a statement on his Facebook page.

His comments followed the detention of three members of the party in Port Harcourt.

Chikezie Justice, Isaiah Thomas and Confidence Amadi were arrested about a week ago at Isiokpo, headquarters of Ikwerre Local Government Area. Their arrest took place during a campaign event organised by the party.

Rivers State Police Command arraigned the three men on Tuesday before a Magistrate Court in Port Harcourt.
They face allegations of cultism, conspiracy and threat to life.

Magistrate Obiageri Anughum-Onuoha ordered their remand at the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre. The case comes up again on October 2.