Rivers ADC Prioritizes Consensus Candidates to Eliminate Costs and Prevent Post Primary Legal Disputes

Rivers ADC Chairman Chukwudi Dimkpa reveals the party will favor consensus over direct primaries to cut costs and empower grassroots members for future polls.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 27, 2026, 8:18 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Daily Post Nigeria

Strategic Selection Processes Under the Electoral Act

The Rivers State chapter of the African Democratic Congress is shifting its focus toward consensus building as the primary mechanism for candidate selection. Chairman Chukwudi Dimkpa stated that this approach aligns with the current provisions of the Electoral Act, which offers political parties the flexibility to choose between direct primaries and consensus agreements. By prioritizing the latter, the party hopes to streamline its internal operations and move away from the often contentious and expensive nature of traditional competitive voting within the party structure.

Mitigating Financial Strain and Internal Division

According to Dimkpa, the decision to pursue consensus is a pragmatic move designed to foster unity early in the election cycle. He argued that consensus arrangements significantly reduce the financial burden on the party and its aspirants, while simultaneously limiting the risk of post primary litigations that frequently paralyze political organizations. However, the chairman clarified that the party is not abandoning the democratic process, asserting that if a unanimous agreement cannot be reached on a suitable candidate, the ADC will proceed with direct primaries in the field.

Shifting Power from Political Blocs to the Public

A core component of the ADC’s new strategy in Rivers State is a departure from what Dimkpa describes as power centered politics. He emphasized that the party aims to distinguish itself by operating as a people centered platform, where authority is not concentrated in the hands of influential individuals or established power blocs. By allowing residents and business owners within the state to have a meaningful say in the selection process, the party intends to ensure that the eventual candidates possess genuine public acceptance.