A photo combo of Wike, Atiku and Obi
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Monday refuted claims by opposition figures that the recent local government elections in Rivers State were unlawful, asserting that no court has declared the polls illegal.
Addressing criticisms from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, Wike defended the elections during a media briefing, describing them as legally conducted and widely praised for their transparency.
“The polls were free, fair, and backed by law,” Wike stated, highlighting the absence of violence or electoral malpractice.Wike took a swipe at Atiku, referencing his political history and lack of awareness about legal provisions.
“Atiku doesn’t know that his boss, [former] President Olusegun Obasanjo, signed the emergency rule in 2004, granting the President authority to regulate emergency areas,” Wike said.
He further criticized Atiku’s frequent party switches, noting, “He’s jumped from PDP to Action Congress, APC, back to PDP, and now ADC. Is there a drug prescribed for the presidency?”
Turning to Obi, Wike questioned his credibility, pointing out Obi’s delay in conducting local elections during his eight-year tenure as Anambra governor.
“Obi held local elections just two months before leaving office. Does he have the moral standing to call these elections rascality?” Wike asked.
Wike also suggested that the opposition’s criticism stemmed from financial motives.
“Their anger is simple—they’ve lost Rivers State as a funding source for their politics,” he remarked.
He praised the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and security agencies for ensuring a peaceful process, adding, “No gunshots, no ballot snatching, no kidnapping of officials—yet they call it illegal because it doesn’t suit them.”
The elections, held on Saturday across Rivers State’s 23 local government areas, saw the All Progressives Congress (APC) secure 20 councils, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won three, according to RSIEC’s announcement on Sunday.
