Atiku blasts Rivers LG poll as ‘shambolic,’ demands cancellation

By Kunle Sanni –

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the recently conducted local government election in Rivers State, describing it as “shameful, shambolic, and a travesty of elective democracy.”

In a statement on Sunday, Atiku alleged that the exercise, organized by what he termed an “occupation government,” lacked legality and credibility. He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of seeking “inordinate political advantage” at the expense of democratic principles.

“The local government election conducted by the occupation government in Rivers State is an awful absurdity,” Atiku said. “It is clear that the APC is prepared to throw caution to the wind in order to achieve its political ends.”

Calling for the outright cancellation of the poll, Atiku urged opposition parties in Rivers State to reject the results, insisting that the organizers had “absolutely no legitimacy to undertake such a crucial and sensitive assignment.”

He also appealed to well-meaning Nigerians, the international community, and Nigeria’s partners to take note of what he described as a “dangerous curve” under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Expressing solidarity with the people of Rivers State, Atiku said they had become “victims of political brigandage by a power cabal bent on overturning their democratic rights at all costs.”