By Jerry Needam
By all indications, the political temperature in Rivers State is rising ahead of the 2027 general elections, and fresh alignments within the emerging Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) are beginning to reshape the contest.
At the centre of recent developments is High Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, whose quiet but strategic moves have fuelled speculations about a possible governorship bid under the new platform.
Investigations reveal that Lulu-Briggs, a seasoned businessman, lawyer, and former governorship candidate, has intensified consultations within and beyond Rivers State.
A two-time gubernatorial aspirant — first under the National Democratic Party in 2019 and later the Accord Party in 2023—his renewed political calculations suggest a third attempt, this time leveraging the structure of the NDC.
Sources within the party confirm that Lulu-Briggs recently paid a high-level visit to the National Leader of the NDC, Senator Seriake Dickson, in what insiders describe as a “strategic alignment meeting.”
The visit, though not officially detailed, is believed to be part of broader consultations aimed at securing backing from key power brokers within the party.
Senator Dickson, a former Bayelsa State governor and the arrowhead of the NDC, has in recent months been at the centre of intense political realignments.
His leadership of the party has already attracted notable figures across the country, including former presidential contenders, in what observers see as an attempt to build a formidable opposition platform ahead of 2027.
The emergence of the NDC itself has been interpreted in political circles as part of a wider strategy by Dickson to consolidate influence both within Bayelsa and across the South-South region.
Analysts argue that the party is not just a political vehicle, but a platform for renegotiating power blocs ahead of the next electoral cycle.
For Lulu-Briggs, the stakes are high. Beyond his business empire in oil, gas, and marine sectors, he carries significant political weight as a traditional leader in Kalabari Kingdom and a longstanding player in Rivers politics.
However, his previous electoral outings have not translated into victory, raising questions about whether a new platform like the NDC can provide the structure and grassroots machinery he previously lacked.
Insiders suggest that his engagement with Dickson may go beyond mere consultation.
There are indications that discussions touched on party structure in Rivers State, zoning considerations, and the possibility of positioning Lulu-Briggs as a consensus aspirant to challenge dominant political forces in the state.
Meanwhile, the broader South-South political landscape is witnessing increasing permutations, with emerging “dark horses” and new alliances redefining traditional loyalties.
Lulu-Briggs himself has been identified among key figures to watch as these realignments gather momentum.
Despite these developments, questions remain. Can the NDC build sufficient grassroots presence in Rivers State to rival established parties?
Will Lulu-Briggs secure unified backing within the party, or face internal contestation as other aspirants emerge?
For now, what is clear is that his visit to Dickson signals more than a courtesy call—it is part of a calculated move in a rapidly evolving political chessboard. As 2027 approaches, the coming months will determine whether this alliance translates into a viable governorship bid or remains another chapter in Rivers State’s complex political narrative.
