The Rivers State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said it is considering adopting consensus as its preferred method for selecting candidates in future elections, while maintaining that it will conduct direct primaries where necessary.
The State Chairman of the party, Chukwudi Dimkpa, made this known during an interview, explaining that the party’s position aligns with the provisions of the Electoral Act, which allow political parties to choose between direct primaries and consensus arrangements when selecting candidates.
According to Dimkpa, consensus remains the more practical option because it reduces the financial burden of organising primaries and promotes unity within the party from the outset. He noted that it also helps to minimise the disputes and litigations that often follow contentious primary elections.
“Consensus builds unity early and it also avoids all those post-primary issues that come up,” he said. “But we are open to picking the best. If we can’t achieve consensus, we will definitely be on the field doing direct primaries.”
Dimkpa stressed that the ADC in Rivers State is positioning itself as a people-centred political platform rather than one controlled by powerful individuals or entrenched political blocs. He said the party is committed to returning decision-making power to ordinary members and the broader public, including residents and business owners in the state, by giving them a meaningful voice in determining who emerges as candidates.
He argued that candidates with genuine grassroots support are less susceptible to electoral manipulation, as they already command public acceptance and trust.
“The ADC in Rivers State, and even at the national level, is people-centred, not power-centred,” he stated. “We are not driven by individuals or strong power blocs. We are taking power back to the people. Every member, and even members of the public who reside and do business in Rivers State, will have a say. If we have popular candidates, you can’t rig them. The people will own the process.”
On youth and women participation, Dimkpa said the party is deliberately creating opportunities for younger people and women to take on leadership roles and actively participate in governance. He noted that the ADC reserves a significant portion of opportunities for both groups, describing the party as a platform where emerging leaders can grow without being overshadowed by long-established political figures.
He maintained that, unlike some older political parties where younger aspirants often struggle to advance, the ADC offers a more open and inclusive system that encourages fairness, participation, and grassroots engagement.
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