Chima Boms emerges Labour Party governorship candidate for Rivers

Labour Party in Rivers State has elected Chima Ernest Boms as its governorship candidate for the 2027 general election. 

Boms emerged through the party’s consensus nomination process, having been the sole aspirant for the position. 

His candidacy was ratified by party members across the 23 local government areas of the state during a special nomination congress. 

Announcing the result in Port Harcourt on Saturday, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee and Returning Officer, retired Colonel Emeka Osuagu, said the process complied with the Labour Party Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the party’s electoral guidelines. 

Osuagu stated that Boms was duly affirmed by party members and delegates during the special nomination congress and had satisfied all constitutional and procedural requirements for nomination. 

He said, “Declaration statement for the sole aspirant or consensus candidate ratifies at the special nomination congress by affirmation at various constituencies and returned at the State Collation Center, where official positions for all positions will be declared and formal returned made.

“I, Cornel retired Emeka C. Osuagu hereby affirm that I am the Returning Officer of the Labour Party for the gubernatorial primary election held on the 30th day of May, 2026.

“I further affirm that Chima Ernest Boms contested the governorship primary election as the sole aspirant of the party and was duly ratified and affirmed by the majority of members/delegates of the party and special nomination congress, conducted in accordance with the constitution of the Labour Party, the Electoral Act, 2026 and the Labour Party Electoral Guidelines 2026.

“Accordingly, even certified all constitutional and procedural requirements, Chima Ernest Boms is hereby declared the winner and duly returned elected as the governorship candidate for the 2027 general election.

“Chima Ernest Boms will be contesting the governorship position in 2027.”

Speaking after his emergence, Boms said Nigeria requires comprehensive reforms in critical sectors, including security, education, power, healthcare, and the economy. 

He stressed the need to strengthen the country’s security architecture and improve the quality of education, noting that greater emphasis should be placed on learning outcomes rather than the acquisition of certificates alone.

The Labour Party candidate also called for increased investment in electricity generation and improvements in the healthcare sector to enhance the well-being of citizens.

On the economy, Boms said efforts must be made to improve the ease of doing business in Rivers State to create opportunities for residents and reduce dependence on government.

He said the Labour Party would unveil its policies and programmes at the appropriate time, adding that the family remains the foundation of the party’s philosophy.

According to him, many societal challenges can be addressed when families are strengthened and function effectively.

Other candidates who emerged through the Labour Party’s consensus nomination process include the party’s 2023 governorship candidate, Beatrice Itubo, for the Rivers East Senatorial District; Kinanee Sam for the Rivers South-East Senatorial District; Izu Ibisime for the Rivers South-West Senatorial District; and Chizunemma Godwin for the Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, among others.