Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the local government elections held in Rivers State on Saturday, describing the exercise as an “awful absurdity” and calling on opposition parties to reject the outcome.
His comments followed the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission’s (RSIEC) announcement of results that have ignited significant controversy.
The RSIEC declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) victorious in 20 out of the 23 local government areas (LGAs), while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured wins in only three: Obio-Akpor, Port Harcourt City (PHALGA), and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni (ONELGA). The results were a notable setback for the state’s governor, Siminalayi Fubara of the PDP, who lost his home LGA of Opobo-Nkoro to the APC.
Reacting in a statement released on his official X handle, Abubakar said the conduct of the polls undermined the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy.
The elections were held under a state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu, with the state being overseen by a Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas.
Atiku said, “The local government election conducted by the occupation government in Rivers State is an awful absurdity and a travesty to the very notion of elective democracy. By the shameful and shambolic manner in which the occupation government went ahead to conduct local government elections in Rivers State, it is clear that the ruling APC party is not leaving anyone in doubt that it is prepared to throw caution to the wind in order to achieve an inordinate political advantage.
“It therefore becomes necessary to call the attention of well-meaning Nigerians. international community and all friends and partners of Nigeria to the dangerous curve that the President Bola Tinubu regime is taking our dear country. I will also call on all opposition parties in Rivers State to reject the local government election on the premise that the occupation government that conducted the exercise is extraneous to our laws, with absolutely no legitimacy to undertake such a crucial and sensitive assignment.
“In the same breath, I wish to share my unflinching solidarity with the good people of Rivers State, who are currently victims of political brigandry to a power cabal which is bent on overturning their democratic rights at all cost,” he concluded.
READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
WATCH TOP VIDEOS FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE TV
- Let’s Talk About SELF-AWARENESS
- Is Your Confidence Mistaken for Pride? Let’s talk about it
- Is Etiquette About Perfection…Or Just Not Being Rude?
- Top Psychologist Reveal 3 Signs You’re Struggling With Imposter Syndrome
- Do You Pick Up Work-Related Calls at Midnight or Never? Let’s Talk About Boundaries
and then