Former member of the House of Representatives, Dr Farah Dagogo, has obtained the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship nomination form to contest the 2027 Rivers State governorship election.
The nomination form was collected on his behalf by associates in Abuja on Monday, May 11.
Speaking on his ambition to lead Rivers State, Dr Dagogo said his administration would focus on repositioning the state as a leading economic and developmental hub in Nigeria.
According to him, his proposed governance blueprint will be anchored on the principles of Diplomacy, Information, Security, and Economy (DISE), a strategic framework he said would be unveiled comprehensively in the coming days.
“The process of repositioning Rivers State has begun. Our administration will prioritise youth empowerment through the establishment of a Youth Entrepreneurship Development Trust Fund, backed by legislation.
“We intend to dedicate at least five per cent of the state’s annual capital budget to supporting young entrepreneurs, recognising that the youth constitute the majority of our population.”
Dr Dagogo further emphasised plans to drive educational industrialisation through the adoption of STEAM education, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, aimed at equipping young people with relevant skills for the modern economy.
“We will create employment opportunities by fostering an enabling business environment. Security funds will be transparently and effectively deployed to ensure a safe and stable environment for all residents and investors,” he added.
Expressing confidence in his political prospects, Dagogo said the widespread support he enjoys across the state positions him strongly to secure the ADC ticket and ultimately emerge victorious in the governorship election.
“My mission is to serve the people, not to rule them. Ruling often carries authoritarian tendencies, but governance and service empower the people and strengthen democratic values. Our administration will be inclusive and people-centred, serving all Rivers residents regardless of background or political affiliation, ” he explained.
He noted that the forthcoming DISE blueprint would articulate his vision and policy direction in alignment with the aspirations of the founding fathers of Rivers State.
“We have faith in God and confidence in the people of Rivers State. We remain optimistic that victory is achievable,” he added.
Recall that Dagogo previously contested for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket ahead of the 2023 elections. However, he was arrested on April 28, 2022, during the PDP governorship screening exercise on the orders of then-Governor Nyesom Wike, an incident that prevented his participation in the process.
He spent more than 60 days in detention before securing bail from the Rivers State High Court. Following legal proceedings that lasted over two years and significantly shaped the state’s political discourse, the Rivers State High Court, on July 21, 2024, discharged and acquitted him of all charges filed against him by the state government.
