An oil magnate, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, has emerged as the consensus governorship candidate of the Accord Party in Rivers State.

Lulu-Briggs, who dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC), was the sole aspirant and was affirmed by members at Elekahia Town Hall in Port Harcourt yesterday.

The candidate, who thanked party members, promised to put Rivers people first if he becomes the governor.

He said his emergence was not a product of a godfather, adding that he had an edge over the candidates of the two major parties.

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Lulu-Briggs said: “I am very humble that you found me worthy to be your candidate. It is with humility and fear of God that I accept this nomination.

“You know that the work has just started. Our destination is Brick House in 2023. Make no mistake about it, we have a responsibility to give ourselves the Rivers State of our dream.

“We don’t have a godfather, but we have God the father. What God tells us is that when we win election, we bring everybody together. We shall run an all-inclusive government. We shall remember to put our people first and we are doing so in one accord.”

The Chairman of the Electoral Committee and the National Legal Adviser of Accord Party, Maxwell Mgbudem, said the party adopted consensus as a method of selecting its candidate.

He said: “I am highly impressed by the conduct of the delegates. This shows that there is hope for our country. I wish other parties can emulate us.

“You know that the new Electoral Act provides for three forms of election: direct, indirect and consensus. Today, Rivers people have adopted him as their consensus candidate.”