The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Rivers State says its gubernatorial flag bearers, Tonite Ibraye and Tonto Dikeh are the best candidates to lead the state in 2023.

“First of all, Tonto Dikeh is a young, vibrant entrepreneur from Rivers State. She is as qualified as every other indigene of Rivers State”, ADC state chairman Luckyman Igila said in Port Harcourt on Wednesday. “So, Tonte Ibraye and Tonto Dikeh, we believe are the best that Rivers people have.”

Mr Igila spoke against criticisms on the choice of Ms Dikeh, a catchy but controversial celebrity, as the party’s deputy governorship candidate. 

The last week unveiled Mr Ibraye and Ms Dikeh as their gubernatorial and deputy governor candidates respectively. 

The appointment was met with massive reaction from netizens as questions trailed the appointment of the Nollywood star who has been at the center of various controversies off and on social media.

Mr Ibraye and Ms Dikeh will jostle for Rivers’ top job alongside candidates of more established political parties: APC’s Tonye Cole and PDP’s Sim Fubara.

But Mr Igila sounds unfazed by the major parties’ relatively bigger standing.

“To be sincere with you, I don’t see PDP or APC winning any election in Rivers State anymore. The youths are tired and our mothers are tired. For the very first time, people are going out to register and get their PVCs so that they can vote out these bad elements of the government,” the ADC chairman said.

“These people that will come on election day and give voters N2,000 and N3,000 and allow them to suffer for four or five years. Rivers people are tired. So, we are sure that come next year, come February, the ADC is going to win the governorship of Rivers State.”