Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has described the recent Rivers State local government election as “rascality taken too far” and a “mockery of democracy”.
In a statement shared on his X handle, Obi expressed his disappointment and concern over the conduct of the election under the supervision of an unelected military administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired).
“The conduct of the Rivers State local government election is rascality taken too far,” Obi said.
“It represents a double tragedy for our democracy when a Sole Administrator – himself illegally appointed – dares to conduct an election that should empower the people.”
Obi emphasised that the election was unconstitutional, legally untenable, and morally indefensible.
“Such actions send a dangerous message that the rule of law can be discarded at the whim of those in power,” he said. “But the truth remains unshaken: illegality can never give birth to legitimacy.”
The former presidential candidate stressed the importance of upholding the sanctity of the ballot and safeguarding the people’s right to choose their leaders.
“Nigeria cannot afford to continue on this perilous path,” he warned. “We cannot pretend to practise democracy while silencing the will of the people – especially at the grassroots, where democracy matters most.”
Obi called for a return to the principles of democracy, where leadership flows from the mandate of the people, not from contraptions that mock democracy.
“Only then will governance have meaning, and only then can the sacred bond of trust between leaders and the people be restored,” he said.
