Abuja, 31 August 2025 – Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has launched a scathing attack on the recent local government elections in Rivers State, branding them an “awful absurdity” and a “travesty to the very notion of elective democracy.” In a strongly worded statement released today, Abubakar accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of recklessly pursuing political gain at the expense of democratic principles.
The elections, conducted by what Abubakar termed the “occupation government” in Rivers State, have been mired in controversy amid ongoing political tensions in the oil-rich region. Abubakar described the process as “shameful and shambolic,” arguing that it demonstrated the APC’s willingness to “throw caution to the wind in order to achieve an inordinate political advantage.”
Highlighting the broader implications, Abubakar urged “well-meaning Nigerians, the international community, and all friends and partners of Nigeria” to take note of the “dangerous curve” that President Bola Tinubu’s regime is steering the country towards. He warned that such actions risk undermining the foundations of Nigeria’s democratic system.
In his statement, Abubakar called on all opposition parties in Rivers State to outright reject the election results. He contended that the administering body lacks legitimacy under Nigerian law, stating: “The occupation government that conducted the exercise is extraneous to our laws, with absolutely no legitimacy to undertake such a crucial and sensitive assignment.”
Expressing his support for the residents of Rivers State, Abubakar extended “unflinching solidarity” to those he described as “victims of political brigandry.” He accused a “power cabal” of being determined to “overturn their democratic rights at all cost,” emphasising the need for unity against such encroachments.
The local government elections in Rivers State have been a flashpoint in the state’s fractious politics, with disputes over control and legitimacy fueling divisions between factions. Abubakar’s intervention adds to growing calls for scrutiny of the electoral process, though the APC has yet to respond to his allegations.
