A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has cautioned Barrister Kenneth Okonkwo against making comments capable of undermining former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, warning that such remarks could threaten the party’s unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Eze was reacting to recent remarks by Okonkwo, who reportedly suggested that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had no alternative but to accept Amaechi as his running mate.

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He described the statement as “unfortunate, insulting and counterproductive,” saying it could negatively affect public perception of both Atiku and Amaechi.

According to Eze, Atiku’s long political career demonstrates that he is fully capable of making independent decisions on critical political matters without being influenced or compelled.

“Anyone who has followed Atiku Abubakar’s political journey knows that he has a mind of his own and is fully capable of taking decisions on matters of this nature,” Eze said.

The ADC stalwart argued that portraying Amaechi as an imposed choice diminishes the former Rivers State governor’s political achievements and contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development.

He highlighted Amaechi’s political record, noting that he served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, two-term governor of Rivers State, Minister of Transportation, and presidential aspirant, describing him as one of Nigeria’s most experienced political figures.

Eze also recalled that Amaechi emerged second to President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary and later finished as runner-up to Atiku Abubakar in the ADC presidential primary.

According to him, Amaechi’s emergence as the party’s vice-presidential candidate should be seen as a strategic advantage rather than an imposition.

“Amaechi’s personality, political experience and national appeal add significant value to the ADC presidential ticket,” he stated.

The former publicity secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) further advised Okonkwo to improve his communication style by learning from individuals with proven expertise in political messaging.

Calling for unity within the opposition party, Eze urged ADC leaders, spokespersons and supporters to avoid comments capable of creating unnecessary controversy or weakening the party’s collective resolve ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Our focus should remain on building a united front. Internal disagreements should not distract us from our collective objective of providing Nigerians with a credible alternative,” he said.

He added: “As things stand, we have a common objective. We need unity of purpose and must avoid comments that could weaken our collective resolve. Responsible communication and party cohesion remain essential to the success of the ADC in the forthcoming elections.”

The Ebonyi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for a thorough investigation into an incident involving security personnel attached to the convoy of Governor Francis Nwifuru following the circulation of a viral video on social media.

The video purportedly shows a confrontation between members of the governor’s convoy and occupants of a civilian vehicle along the Centenary City–Chiboy Motors axis of the Afikpo-Abakaliki Road.

According to available information, the incident occurred after a Toyota Camry reportedly collided with a motorcycle rider attached to the governor’s convoy, leaving the rider injured. The ensuing confrontation allegedly resulted in damage to the civilian vehicle.

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Reacting to the development, the PDP’s State Publicity Secretary, Prince Darlington Peter Onwe, called on the Ebonyi State Police Command and the Department of State Services (DSS) to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.

He urged security agencies to identify and interview those involved and determine the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.

The party also called on the Ebonyi State Government to provide clarification on the incident and disclose the identity and conduct of the security personnel involved.

In addition, the PDP urged relevant authorities to review the operational procedures and rules of engagement for security personnel attached to official convoys to ensure the safety of other road users.

Onwe said the party believes the public deserves a full account of what transpired and urged eyewitnesses and other persons with relevant information to cooperate with investigators.

Responding to the controversy, the Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, Leo Ekene Oketa, said “the viral video captured only part of the incident and did not present the complete sequence of events.”

He appealed to the public “to refrain from drawing conclusions until all the facts have been established.”

Oketa explained that official convoys, like ambulances, fire service vehicles and other emergency responders, are required to move swiftly in the interest of public safety and national security.

He noted that motorists are expected to comply with lawful traffic directives issued by police officers and convoy personnel to ensure the safe movement of official convoys and prevent accidents.

According to him, “Governor Francis Nwifuru remains committed to professionalism, respect for the rule of law and the protection of lives.”

He added that the circumstances surrounding the incident were being reviewed and urged road users “to remain patient, obey lawful traffic instructions and cooperate with emergency and security personnel in the interest of public safety.”

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially unveiled David Amapakaye Okumgba as its deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 general elections in Rivers State.

The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Rivers State Chairman of the party, Chukwudi Dimgba, who confirmed that Okumgba will serve as the running mate to the party’s governorship candidate and former Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Gabriel Baritulem Pidomson.

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In a statement issued to journalists, Dimgba described Okumgba as a seasoned politician with extensive leadership experience in both the political and private sectors, expressing confidence in his ability to help drive the party’s vision for the state.

According to the party, the Pidomson-Okumgba ticket represents competence, experience, inclusiveness and a shared commitment to delivering good governance, accountability, economic growth, security and equal opportunities for all residents of Rivers State.

The ADC chairman highlighted Okumgba’s political credentials, noting that he previously served as South-South Zonal Secretary and South-South Zonal Publicity Secretary of a major political party.

He also chaired the Appeal Committee for Senatorial Primaries in Edo State and had earlier contested for a seat in the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The party said Okumgba’s political experience, organisational capacity, interpersonal skills and deep understanding of Rivers State’s political landscape make him an ideal choice to partner with Pidomson ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Dimgba stated that the party believes the governorship ticket reflects the aspirations of Rivers people and offers the leadership and integrity needed to move the state forward.

He called on party members, supporters and residents of the state to embrace the Pidomson-Okumgba ticket and join the ADC’s campaign to build what he described as a government that truly serves the people.

The Rivers ADC chairman also assured that under his leadership, the party would continue to unite its members, inspire public confidence and work towards building a better future for the state ahead of the 2027 elections.