The factional governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Rivers State, Farah Dagogo, has vowed to challenge what he described as the “Rainbow Coalition” in the 2027 general elections, accusing the group of benefiting from the state’s underdevelopment and seeking to preserve the political status quo.
Speaking during a strategic stakeholder consultation meeting, Dagogo said the 2027 governorship election would give Rivers people an opportunity to reject what he called years of failed leadership and embrace a new direction for the state.
“The truth is, it is the Rainbow Coalition against the entire Rivers State because the Rainbow Coalition people are bearers of the chain of bondage militating against the state. They are a gathering of those who have benefited from the retrogression of our state and are determined to keep it that way,” he said.
He added, “We will put their name, Rainbow Coalition, to the test in the 2027 general elections. Rivers people are tired of recycled failure. It is time to break this cycle and set our state on the path of real development.”
Dagogo also faulted claims that the Bodo-Bonny Road project was solely the achievement of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, arguing that the project resulted from decades of advocacy by Bonny leaders and successive governments.
According to him, the campaign for the road dates back to the 1950s and was championed by the late Amanyanabo of Grand Bonny Kingdom, King Eugene William Dappa Pepple II, before later receiving support from nationalist Chief Dappa Biriye and the military administration of General Yakubu Gowon.
He said the project experienced repeated delays over the years before it was revived under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari through a Public-Private Partnership funded by Nigeria LNG Limited.
Dagogo credited the current Amanyanabo of Bonny Kingdom, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, with helping to facilitate the tax credit arrangement that accelerated construction.
He maintained that the road was already close to completion before the current administration assumed office.
“By the time this administration came in, the project was already about 95 percent completed. To now claim sole glory is deceptive… That is what the Rainbow Coalition does — take credit for other people’s work because they have nothing significant to campaign with for President Tinubu in Rivers State. We will not allow falsehood to distort our chequered history,” he said.
The former federal lawmaker also recalled the official flag-off of the Bodo-Bonny Road project in October 2017, alleging that the Rivers State Government at the time attempted to frustrate the groundbreaking ceremony led by then Vice President Yemi Osinbajo by preventing public school facilities from being used for the event.
He said the ceremony was eventually relocated to Shell Gate on Bonny Island after the original venue became unavailable.
Beyond his political criticism, Dagogo unveiled his policy priorities for Rivers State, promising reforms in education, healthcare, security, infrastructure and economic development.
He pledged to provide free and functional education while integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics and Sports (STEAMS) into the state’s curriculum.
He also promised to strengthen primary healthcare, improve security, expand electricity supply and create employment opportunities through youth-focused programmes.
Dagogo said his administration would dedicate five per cent of the state’s annual budget to youth entrepreneurship, skills acquisition and job creation.
“Our youths are not the problem. They are the solution. Five percent of our annual budget will go directly into youth entrepreneurship, skills acquisition, and job creation. We cannot continue to produce graduates without giving them a future,” he said.
He further promised programmes aimed at addressing infrastructure deficits, boosting agricultural productivity and supporting small businesses across the state’s 23 local government areas.
“We are not coming to manage poverty. We are coming to end it. The time has come for Rivers State to move forward, and with your mandate to serve and not rule over you, we will do it,” Dagogo added.