Rivers State Local Government Election Sparks Fears of Election Manipulation in 2027 General Elections

Strategic Insights -

The recently held local government election in Rivers State, which analysts have described as abysmal, has sparked fears that the 2027 general elections may not be different from what was seen in the state under President Bola Tinubu's administration. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the election and its outcome as "an awful absurdity and a travesty to the very notion of elective democracy." He criticized the administration of President Tinubu for the manner in which the elections were conducted.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Rivers State local government election was marred by allegations of election manipulation, with the ruling APC winning in 20 LGAs while the PDP won in three LGAs.
  • Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the election as "an awful absurdity and a travesty to the very notion of elective democracy."
  • The administration of President Bola Tinubu was criticized for the manner in which the elections were conducted.
  • Chief Kenneth Udeze, National Chairman of Action Alliance (AA), noted that what happened in Rivers State was "an allotment of numbers and submission of names of loyalists of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike as chairmen of LGAs in Rivers State."
  • The sole administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe (rtd.), was accused of conducting an illegal election, with Justice Uhuegbu, President, Association for Good Governance and National Convener Youth Arise Vanguard, stating that the sole administrator "has no constitutional right to conduct that election."
  • Mr. Peter Ameh, National Secretary, Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), stated that the Rivers State local government poll is "insulting to the collective sensibility of Nigerians" and accused President Tinubu of supporting actions that "degrade the country the most."
  • Peter Obi, Labour Party's presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, described the conduct of the local government elections in Rivers State as "rascality taken too far, and a mockery of democracy."

Statistics:

  • 20 LGAs were won by the APC in the Rivers State local government election.
  • 3 LGAs were won by the PDP in the Rivers State local government election.
  • 300,000 votes were reported in a single local government area, which is reportedly un precedented in previous elections.
  • 17 political parties were claimed to have participated in the election, despite leaders of many parties having instructed their state chairmen not to participate.
  • 6 months is the time period for which the Supreme Court has abstained from hearing a case related to the removal of the governor and the State House of Assembly.

Sources:

  • Daily Independent
  • The Punch
  • Leadership Newspaper
  • Vanguard News
  • The Guardian