The Rivers State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has warned that it will oppose any move aimed at influencing or altering the outcome of the 2027 presidential election in the state.
The party’s state chairman, Success Jack, made the position known while responding to comments credited to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, regarding the 2023 presidential election in Rivers State.
Wike had claimed that he, alongside members of the now-defunct G-5 Governors, played a role in preventing Peter Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Labour Party, from securing victory in Rivers State.
The former Rivers State governor had explained that the G-5 adopted a political strategy during the 2023 election designed to prevent the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate at the time, Atiku Abubakar, from benefiting from the party’s traditional support base in the South-South. (NGN)
Reacting to the development, Jack dismissed concerns arising from Wike’s remarks, saying the circumstances surrounding the electoral process have changed considerably since the last presidential election.
The NDC chairman argued that developments in election technology and the increased involvement of voters in monitoring the voting process would make it more difficult to manipulate results.
According to him, voters would be expected to closely observe the process from the polling units and ensure that the results recorded after voting are properly transmitted through the relevant electronic channels.
Jack maintained that the responsibility of protecting the integrity of the election should not rest solely with electoral officials, insisting that citizens must also remain vigilant throughout the voting and collation stages.
He said voters would monitor the results immediately after ballots are counted at their respective polling units and continue to follow the process as results move to local government collation centres.
The NDC chairman also addressed suggestions that security personnel could be deployed to intimidate voters during the election.
Jack said he was not convinced that such an approach would succeed, arguing that voters would be prepared to defend their votes and observe proceedings at polling locations.
He further stated that the party was not concerned by claims about possible attempts to influence the election, maintaining that the political environment in Rivers State had changed since 2023.
According to him, the NDC would remain focused on ensuring that votes cast by residents are protected and accurately reflected in the final results.
Jack also expressed confidence that attempts to interfere with the electoral process would face resistance from voters across the state.
The NDC chairman said the party would continue to mobilise its supporters and monitor developments leading up to the 2027 general elections.
He added that political actors seeking to influence the outcome of the presidential contest in Rivers should not assume that the circumstances that existed during the 2023 election would be repeated.
Jack concluded by saying that while he wished Wike well, any political strategy he might seek to deploy would face resistance in Rivers State.
His comments come amid increasing political activity and realignment among parties in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections, with opposition parties publicly discussing the influence of Wike and the emerging political alliances in the state.
