Our Reporter, Abuja
Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the conduct of the local government elections held in Rivers State on Saturday, describing the exercise as a “travesty to the very notion of elective democracy.”
In a statement posted on his official X handle on Sunday, Atiku said the “shameful and shambolic manner” in which the polls were conducted exposed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as a party willing to “throw caution to the wind in order to achieve an inordinate political advantage.”
He accused what he called the “occupation government” in Rivers State of lacking the legitimacy to conduct such a crucial and sensitive democratic exercise, urging opposition parties in the state to reject the outcome of the polls.
“It therefore becomes necessary to call the attention of well-meaning Nigerians, the international community, and all friends and partners of Nigeria to the dangerous curve that the President Bola Tinubu regime is taking our dear country,” Atiku warned.
The former Vice President expressed solidarity with the people of Rivers State, whom he described as “victims of political brigandry by a power cabal bent on overturning their democratic rights at all cost.”
Atiku’s reaction adds to the growing controversy trailing the Rivers local government election, which has been criticized by opposition leaders and civil society groups over alleged irregularities and questions of legitimacy.
