Members of the African Democratic Congress have stormed Rivers State for official launch of the party in the state.

Some of the party members who were at the airport to welcome them expressed optimism that a former Rivers governor, Rotimi Amaechi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will pair for the 2027 presidential ticket.

They made their intentions known at the Port Harcourt International Airport Omagwa on Wednesday.

They said that they were at the airport to welcome Mr Amaechi alongside other party stalwarts for an official lunch of the party in the state.

A former governorship aspirant in the 2023 general elections, Tele Nathram, said that he was optimistic of the party’s victory if Messrs Amaechi and Atiku fly the party’s flag.

Mr Bathram said that the party had put necessary measures in place to take over the 23 local area councils and claim total victory at the grassroots.

He described ADC as a strong coalition of politicians from the opposition parties and dissatisfied members of the ruling party.

He said that the aim of the coalition was to reposition the country’s political landscape.

An ADC supporter, Christian Akujiobi, said that since the emergence of the present administration, citizens, especially in Rivers State, have suffered intense deprivation.

Mr Akujiobi said that ADC stands as the only option with which the state could reclaim its glory and urged residents to rally support for the party.

However, a Port Harcourt resident, William Ndamiete, said that the journey of taking over Rivers State by the ADC had been marred by distrust.

He said, “Amaechi has lost support here in Rivers State; he can no longer be taken seriously anymore; he abandoned his supporters while chasing national relevance. He may see a rented crowd welcoming him today but not committed followers because those ones have moved on.’’

ADC has been adopted as a coalition of opposition politicians attracting membership from bigwigs across the country.

Top on the list of members are former Messrs Abubakar and Amaechi and a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Uche Secundus.

The party’s national chairman is former Senate President David Mark, while former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola is the national secretary.

(NAN)