Dumo Lulu-Briggs, governorship candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Rivers State, says his decision to contest the 2027 election is motivated by the need to move the state beyond political divisions and towards purposeful governance, economic prosperity and greater opportunities for its citizens.
In a statement titled “Why I Am Running,” Lulu-Briggs said his aspiration was rooted in a sense of duty to Rivers State and a firm belief that its enormous human and economic potential could be transformed into tangible opportunities and improved living conditions for its people.
He expressed concern that prolonged political disagreements and conflicts had continued to divert attention from issues that directly affect residents, including employment, healthcare, education, infrastructure, security, business development and access to economic opportunities.
According to him, the consequences of political instability extend beyond economic figures, as delayed government decisions, abandoned or postponed projects, declining public confidence and businesses unable to expand ultimately affect ordinary citizens and communities.
Lulu-Briggs said Rivers State should not be defined by political division, fear or the influence of political godfathers, insisting that government must remain an instrument for serving the people. “Rivers State belongs to the people,” he stated, stressing that political competition should never translate into violence or permanent hostility among citizens.
The NDC candidate highlighted the state’s enormous economic assets, including its oil and gas industry, ports and waterways, agriculture, tourism, culture, creativity, industrial base and the commercial strength of Port Harcourt. He argued that the challenge was not a lack of resources, but the failure to adequately transform these assets into productive industries, reliable infrastructure, jobs, stronger local businesses and improved public services.
It is against this backdrop that Lulu-Briggs proposed what he described as a “Reset Rivers State” agenda, centred on six priorities: making politics more peaceful and purposeful; building honest, predictable and competent institutions; diversifying the economy beyond dependence on monthly allocations; expanding opportunities based on work and merit rather than political connections; rebuilding public trust through fairness, transparency and respect for the rule of law; and strengthening environmental protection.
On the economy, he said his long-term ambition was to help lay the foundation for transforming Rivers State from its current estimated $20 billion economy into a $200 billion economy within 15 years. He said this would require deliberate investment in reliable power, logistics, serviced industrial areas, tourism, agriculture, fisheries, skills development, small and medium-scale enterprises, the creative sector and the blue economy.
Lulu-Briggs also placed employment and economic inclusion at the centre of his proposed agenda, saying residents should be able to access jobs, finance, markets and opportunities without relying on political connections. He promised to create an environment where businesses can grow and young people can move from education and skills training into meaningful employment.
He further identified environmental protection as a major priority, particularly for communities affected by pollution, coastal risks, flooding, unsafe water and inadequate drainage. He said such communities deserved credible information, effective environmental monitoring, rapid emergency response and practical measures to protect their environment.
The governorship candidate stressed that his proposed Reset was not an act of revenge, but an attempt to establish a new culture of governance based on competence, continuity, accountability, measurable results and service to the people.
He said he would not ask Rivers people for a “blank cheque,” but would expect his administration to be judged by evidence and tangible improvements in the lives of citizens. Among the indicators he listed were safer politics, stronger institutions, progress on major development projects, improved business conditions, growth in tourism and the creative sector, better employment outcomes and stronger environmental monitoring.
Lulu-Briggs therefore called on Rivers people to see the 2027 election as an opportunity to return political power to its fundamental purpose—service to the people. He urged citizens to choose what he described as purpose over political capture, work over noise, competence over conflict and prosperity over poverty.
“Rivers State belongs to the people. It needs a Reset,” he declared, expressing his determination to build a state where every community, regardless of location or background, can feel seen, heard, respected and adequately served by government.