A significant political controversy has erupted within the Rivers State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following a highly disputed governorship primary election.

Dr. Allen Idaso Ezekiel-Hart, one of the aspirants, has vehemently rejected the process, accusing former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, of attempting to impose a preferred candidate.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Ezekiel-Hart characterized the primary exercise as a “shambolic charade,” asserting that the ensuing crisis has led to an unprecedented situation where “three governorship candidates” have emerged within the same party.

He directly attributed this anomaly to what he described as Amaechi’s “high-handedness,” alleging, “Right now, we have three governorship candidates in one party, all thanks to Amaechi’s high-handedness.”

The aggrieved aspirant detailed that the party’s official timetable had slated the governorship primary for May 23.

However, aspirants were allegedly informed late on a Friday that the exercise had been unexpectedly rescheduled and conducted earlier than planned.

Ezekiel-Hart claimed that while he was actively mobilizing his supporters across the 23 local government areas of the state in preparation for the original primary date, fellow aspirant Dr. Farah Dagogo reportedly informed him that a separate, unannounced process had already taken place.

Ezekiel-Hart further alleged that Chief Chukwudi Dimkpa, the Rivers ADC chairman, deliberately invited only five aspirants whom he believed were loyal to Amaechi, explicitly excluding both himself and Dr. Dagogo from participating.

He condemned this exercise as a “kangaroo arrangement,” purportedly orchestrated to favor Gabriel P. Thompson, who Ezekiel-Hart claims had long been positioned as Amaechi’s chosen candidate.

He further elaborated that three other aspirants were allegedly persuaded to step down for Thompson through a disguised consensus arrangement, which directly contradicted the party’s earlier commitment against the emergence of any consensus candidate.

Ezekiel-Hart added that Dagogo allegedly tried to build a united front against what he called “Amaechi’s camp” while also asking him to support Dagogo’s claim of victory.

He said Dagogo wanted him to publicly congratulate him and frame it as unity within Atiku Abubakar’s political family.

However, Ezekiel-Hart rejected the request, insisting that Atiku should not be dragged into the dispute.

He also alleged that Dagogo offered him political incentives, including the position of Secretary to the State Government, in exchange for his endorsement.

Following his rejection of Dagogo’s proposal, Ezekiel-Hart declared himself the winner of the primary after Dagogo had publicly announced his own victory.

He succinctly summarized the chaotic situation: “As it stands, Farah declared himself winner, Thompson was declared winner by the state exco, and I also declared myself winner.

Three winners in one primary that was never held. This cannot stand.”

Ezekiel-Hart also expressed his dismay at being sidelined by the Rivers ADC leadership, especially given his assertion that he was the only aspirant who formally notified the party in writing of his intention to contest, providing acknowledged documentation from the party secretariat.

He intensified his criticism of Amaechi, accusing him of attempting to perpetuate a culture of political imposition within the state.

He rhetorically questioned, “How can someone who is demanding transparent presidential primaries at the national level turn around and impose a governorship candidate in Rivers?”

Beyond the immediate primary dispute, Ezekiel-Hart also criticized Amaechi’s historical role in the 2015 political transition, which he believes contributed to the defeat of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

He asserted, “He owes the South-South an apology for what he did to Jonathan and for mortgaging the political future of this region.”

Ezekiel-Hart has called on the ADC National Working Committee (NWC) to cancel the disputed primary and either conduct a fresh, transparent election or adopt a lawful consensus process in line with INEC guidelines. He stressed that time is running out, urging quick action.

He also warned against using Atiku Abubakar’s name to justify any claim to the ticket, saying he is a “father to all” and not backing any candidate.

Despite his complaints, he maintained he would pursue the matter through internal party processes, insisting he won the primary while committing to avoid actions that could destabilize the party.