Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly condemned the recent local government elections in Rivers State, labeling the process as a “travesty of democracy.”
In a statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Atiku criticized the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for conducting what he described as a “shambolic” election.
“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,” Atiku wrote.
According to RSIEC, the All Progressives Congress (APC)won in 20 out of 23 LGAs, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured only three LGAs—Obio-Akpor, Port Harcourt City (PHALGA), and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni (ONELGA). Notably, Governor Siminalayi Fubara lost his Opobo-Nkoro LGA to the APC.
Atiku alleged that the APC manipulated the process to gain political advantage, claiming that the elections were conducted by an “occupation government” lacking legal legitimacy.
He called on:Opposition parties in Rivers rejected the results,Nigerians and the international community paid attention to what he described as a dangerous political trend under the Tinubu administration.
“It is clear that the ruling APC party is prepared to throw caution to the wind to achieve inordinate political advantage,” he added.
Atiku also expressed solidarity with the people of Rivers State, whom he referred to as victims of political oppression and “brigandage.”
