The African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rivers State Campaign Council has described the planned visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Rivers State tomorrow, November 7, 2026, as one-sided primarily to serve his own interest and selfish agenda.
In a statement by its Spokesperson and
Director, Communication, Media, and Public Affairs, Chizy Enyi Esq, expressing dismay over the visit, the party lamented that it was for votes not for development and that Rivers people will not accept it.
It pointed out that since President Tinubu became President in May 2023, for over three years, he has neither visited Rivers State for any people-oriented reason nor come to commission any federal project.
It added that the president has not come to address the East-West Road, the degenerated federal roads, the sea piracy affecting our riverine communities, the high cost of living, or the environmental degradation, insecurity, and oil spillage in the state.
It said “it was regrettable fo note that the only benefit from President Tinubu’s government to Rivers State was a declaration of state of emergency for six(6)months against Rivers people just to favour his crony, Nyesom Wike, thereby, blacklisted and blackmailed Rivers State to the international communities as a well known crisis state, even when there was none as at then.
It further said, “The only reason he now remembers Rivers State exists is because 2027 is around the corner and he needs our votes to campaign.
“This is unacceptable and an insult to the intelligence of Rivers people. Rivers State is the economic heartbeat of this nation, contributing a huge chunk to the national treasury, yet we have been abandoned with no presidential presence, no federal impact, and no renewed hope felt in Port Harcourt, Ahoada, Bonny, Bori, or Emohua, etc.
“You cannot abandon a people for three years and only remember them when you need their votes. Rivers people are politically aware. We know those who stand with us and those who only come when they need us.
“The ADC believes leadership is about presence, empathy and performance, not seasonal campaign visits. While Rivers people have been suffering high fuel prices, insecurity, and unemployment under this APC government, the President was absent. Now he wants to come with empty promises”, the party stated.
It called on Rivers people to receive him peacefully only as the president, but to remember that true judgement will be at the polls in 2027.
“Rivers people cannot be taken for granted, held hostage for six months under emergency rule, hunger and insecurity everywhere, and you come to deceive us with further empty promises. Rivers people are wiser now”, the statement read in part.
