Atiku Demands Annulment of Rivers LG Poll as Wike Reasserts Control
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has fiercely rejected the outcome of the Rivers State local government election, branding it a “travesty of elective democracy” and calling for its annulment. Atiku described the process as “an awful absurdity” and urged opposition parties to reject the elections outright, accusing the Federal Government of pursuing partisan advantage through unconstitutional means. In a post on X, he warned that the “occupation government” was endangering Nigeria’s democratic fabric.
Amid this political uproar, FCT Minister and ex-Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike used the same platform to solidify his political influence. He declared that loyalists have “reasserted control” of Rivers State’s political structure following the elections, which were held after Fubara loyalists boycotted in protest. Wike’s allies, running under APC and PDP in select councils, appear to have reclaimed power across key grassroots positions.
Adding legal clarity, the Supreme Court earlier declared the October 2024 LG election illegal due to procedural violations by RSIEC; including failure to publish 90-day notice and to update voter registers. The court nullified the results and ordered that any allocations be withheld until lawful conduct of elections.
Atiku’s condemnation aligns with ongoing democratic anxieties, while Wike’s maneuvering signals a tactical victory within the state. The fallout of this election will likely shape Rivers State’s political landscape heading into the 2027 general election, as power realignment and legal battles continue to define governance in the state.
