Wike defends Rivers LG elections, accuses Atiku, Obi of misrepresenting the law

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has strongly defended the conduct of the recently concluded local government elections in Rivers State, arguing that the polls were held within the provisions of emergency rule and backed by constitutional authority.

Speaking during a media chat in Abuja on Monday, Wike dismissed the criticisms from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, describing their remarks as political mischief rooted in ignorance of the law.

“Under emergency rule, certain aspects of the law are suspended to allow governance. The sole administrators act on behalf of the President and funds are made available in line with Supreme Court pronouncements,” Wike explained.

The former Rivers governor argued that Atiku lacked the legal capacity to challenge the elections, pointing out that the framework for such emergency powers was established nearly two decades ago.

“What you don’t know, don’t comment about. This is law, not customs. Atiku does not have the knowledge,” Wike said pointedly.

READ ALSO: Presidency counters Atiku, cites rising reserves, falling inflation as proof of progress

He also took a swipe at Obi, who had earlier condemned the exercise as “rascality.”

“Who can be more rascal than Obi? As governor for eight years, he only conducted an election two months before leaving office. Doctors were on strike for 13 months under him. He has no moral authority to lecture anyone on democracy,” Wike declared.

On claims that the outcome of the polls signaled an alliance between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), Wike dismissed the speculation as irrelevant, stressing instead the peaceful nature of the elections.

“Every election has its peculiarity. What matters is that, for the first time in our history, we saw peaceful elections—no gunshots, no hijacking of ballot boxes, no kidnapping of returning officers. If APC and PDP worked together in Rivers, then Nigerians should commend us for achieving that,” he said.