With the 2027 governorship contest in Rivers State beginning to take shape, concerns over the freedom of political parties to campaign and participate in the electoral process are emerging as a major issue in the race.

The African Democratic Congress governorship candidate, Gabriel Pidomson, raised the concern in Port Harcourt while speaking about his campaign preparations, calling on security agencies to protect the rights of political parties and their supporters throughout the election period.

Pidomson alleged that some political activities had been restricted in parts of the state and claimed that members of the ADC had also faced disruptions during some of their programmes. He urged the Inspector-General of Police, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, the Department of State Services and other relevant agencies to investigate such reports.

The ADC candidate said his party planned to deploy agents across polling units to observe voting and the collation of results. He also encouraged voters to remain at their polling locations after casting their ballots until results are announced, as part of efforts to ensure transparency in the process.

Pidomson, who emerged as the ADC governorship candidate after the party’s primary held across the state’s 23 local government areas in May, said his campaign had already begun consultations with communities and different groups ahead of the election.

The political contest is also drawing competing claims about the influence of voters. The Emeka Bekee-led APC faction in Rivers says the electorate will ultimately determine who gets the mandate in 2027, while Pidomson has argued that no individual or political alliance should dictate the outcome of the election.

As parties intensify mobilisation ahead of the 2027 polls, the focus is increasingly extending beyond campaign promises to the conditions under which political activities will be conducted. For Rivers voters, the issues include access to campaign spaces, protection of party activities, observation of polling and collation, and the assurance that citizens can participate without intimidation or unlawful restrictions.