Politics
BBC Exposes Election Discrepancies In Rivers State Presidential Election Result
An investigation conducted by the BBC has revealed potential indications of manipulation in Nigeria’s presidential election results.
Bola Tinubu, the declared winner, is scheduled to be inaugurated on 29 May; however, the opposition is contesting this outcome.
The BBC’s findings have identified notable irregularities in Rivers state, a crucial contested region, although these irregularities are not substantial enough to alter the overall national result of the election that occurred in February.
Additionally, concerns have arisen regarding the identity of an election official who announced certain unexplained results.
According to BBC, After meticulously analyzing the voting tally sheets from more than 6,000 polling stations in Rivers state, where numerous complaints from the opposition were concentrated, a discrepancy has emerged.
They alleged that the official results in this particular state indicated a decisive majority in favor of Bola Tinubu from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, upon their own calculations, it appears that Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) had garnered the highest number of votes in the state, surpassing Tinubu by a significant margin.
The investigation has alleged that there was a notable increase of approximately 106,000 votes in Mr. Tinubu’s official declaration compared to the tally obtained from our polling station analysis.
This increase nearly doubled his overall vote count in the state. Conversely, Mr. Obi’s vote count had decreased by over 50,000 in comparison.
They emphasized that despite conducting a thorough search on the election website for all 6,866 polling stations in Rivers state, complete results were not obtainable. Some results were incorrectly uploaded or missing even after a month had passed since the polling date.
Additionally, for approximately 5% of the polling stations, the photos of the tally sheets were too blurry to decipher according to the investigation.
Furthermore, the investigation uncovered that in an additional 17% of polling stations, no results were available at all. This could be attributed to various reasons, such as security concerns or the failure of voting materials to arrive. Technical difficulties also hindered officials from uploading the required documents.
It is evident that the final official results would have included more polling stations than those considered in the BBC investigation.
However, these additional tally sheets would have increased the vote totals for each party, rather than decreasing them.
Surprisingly, the investigation revealed that there was a significant decline in votes for Peter Obi’s Labour Party in Rivers state as indicated by the official result.
The question remains: How can the sharp decrease in Peter Obi’s votes, as reflected in the official result, be explained given the circumstances?
Two specific areas drew notable attention during the investigation. The first was the Oyigbo local government area where the officially announced results indicated that Bola Tinubu’s vote count was six times higher compared to the BBC’s tally from the polling stations and In contrast, Peter Obi’s votes had been reduced by half according to the official results.
The second local government area that the BBC investigation identified as having major discrepancies was Obio/Akpor, located in close proximity to Oyigbo. The investigation revealed that the official result for Mr. Tinubu showed a vote count of 80,239, while the BBC counted just 17,293 votes from the polling station tallies.
Conversely, the official count for Mr. Obi was only 3,829 votes, whereas the BBC’s tally sheets indicated a staggering 74,033 votes for him.
According to the BBC, all the polling station sheets were collated at the local government (LGA) headquarters.
During the investigation, the BBC team discovered an official election document that contained the collated votes for the Oyigbo area.
The document was signed by an election official and several party agents, indicating its authenticity and credibility.
According to the investigation, Multiple photographs of the document were taken and shared on various social media accounts. The numbers recorded in this document closely aligned with the BBC’s own tallies for the two leading candidates, Obi and Tinubu.
It further States that the document was likely one of the 23 collation sheets from the local government areas (LGAs) in Rivers state, which were taken to the state capital, Port Harcourt, for the official declaration of results.
According to them, The official announcement took place on 27 February and was broadcast live on television.
Dr. Dickson Ariaga, the election official from Oyigbo, introduced himself and stated that he worked for the Federal College of Education in Omoku.
Although the word “Omoku” on the recording is unclear, it is important to mention that there is only one Federal College of Education in Rivers state.
Dr. Ariaga proceeded to read out the results for each party in alphabetical order, including the smaller parties. This recording provides additional evidence regarding the announcement of the results in Oyigbo.
During the live announcement, according to BBC, it was observed that the numbers mentioned by Dr. Ariaga did not align with the figures recorded on the collation sheet obtained by the BBC.
Specifically, when he reached Mr. Tinubu’s APC, instead of stating the figure of 2,731 as seen in the photograph of the sheet, he announced a significantly higher number of “16,630.” Similarly, for Mr. Obi’s party (LP), the announced figure differed from the number on the sheet.
Instead of the recorded 22,289 votes, Dr. Ariaga declared “10,784,” which resulted in more than halving Obi’s vote count.
Despite the BBC’s efforts to obtain further information and clarification, the electoral commission declined to provide the details of Dr. Ariaga or facilitate an interview with him on the matter.
However, the BBC managed to speak with the election official who was seated next to Dr. Ariaga during the announcement. Unfortunately, she stated that she was not authorized to speak to the press.
To gather more information, a reporter from the BBC was sent to the Federal College of Education in Omoku, located approximately two hours north of Port Harcourt, where Dr. Ariaga claimed to work during his introduction. The Deputy Provost, Moses Ekpa, was interviewed by the BBC.
He stated that based on their records, including payroll and human resources, there is no individual by the name of Dr. Ariaga in their system, and they have no knowledge of such a person being associated with the institution.
He said “From our records, both from our payroll and from our human resources, there is no such a name in our system and we don’t know such a person.”
In an attempt to track down Dr. Ariaga, the BBC conducted a search on social media platforms and came across another Facebook account bearing the name Dickson Ariaga, which listed Port Harcourt as the location.
To verify the connection, the BBC utilized Amazon Rekognition software to compare an image from this account with television footage of Dr. Ariaga. The software indicated a match of 97.2%, suggesting a high probability that they are the same individual.
Despite attempts to contact Dr. Ariaga through this Facebook account, he did not respond to the messages sent by the BBC. However, the BBC managed to reach out to some of his Facebook friends in an effort to gather more information.
Eventually, they were able to speak to a man who claimed to be a relative of Dr. Ariaga. Initially, he expressed willingness to assist the BBC, but later on, he did not return their calls, leaving the investigation with unresolved leads.
Upon presenting these findings to Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the BBC received a response from Johnson Sinikiem, Inec’s regional spokesman in Port Harcourt. Sinikiem explained that due to a “gross shortage of time and personnel,” there were instances where individuals were employed without proper verification of their identity documents.
Regarding Dr. Ariaga specifically, Sinikiem acknowledged that if Ariaga had presented himself as a lecturer from the college in Omoku, but it turned out to be false, then he would be considered dishonest.
He said “If he had presented himself as a lecturer from [the college in Omoku] and it’s otherwise, then he is dishonest.”
In addition to seeking a response from Inec’s regional spokesperson, the BBC also approached Inec’s headquarters in Abuja regarding the discrepancies found in the results in Rivers state. However, the response received was that they were unable to comment on the matter due to ongoing legal challenges.
The case highlighted by the BBC investigation in Rivers state is just one example that raises concerns about potential manipulation of election results.
However, the search for Dr. Ariaga continues as the BBC awaits his response to the findings presented in their report. Obtaining his perspective and clarifications could provide valuable insights and contribute to a better understanding of the situation.
@BBC News (World)
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dan Ulasi, has questioned the moral justification for another eight-year presidential tenure for northern Nigeria following the completion of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s two terms in office.
Ulasi argued that although the Constitution does not prohibit another northern president from serving after Buhari, such an arrangement would be morally wrong in view of the informal power rotation between the northern and southern parts of the country.
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He made the remarks on Arise News’ The Morning Show on Friday, October 16, 2026, during a discussion on opposition politics and the political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the PDP chieftain, Nigeria’s political leadership has traditionally been shaped by an informal understanding that presidential power should alternate between the North and the South to promote fairness and a sense of inclusion.
He argued that the North having completed eight years under Buhari should be a consideration in determining the region that produces the next president.
“So if Buhari just finished eight years, I don’t see how nothing will again come out to run eight years. It is morally wrong. It is not constitutionally wrong, but it’s morally wrong. It is wrong,” Ulasi said.
His comments came as the discussion turned to the challenges confronting opposition parties and their preparations for the 2027 presidential election.
During the interview, Ulasi also addressed the role of religion in Nigerian politics, dismissing the suggestion that religious identity should determine political support.
He said he had never considered religion a decisive factor in his political discussions, stressing that the character and quality of individuals seeking public office should matter more.
“For me, they are Nigerians. Religion has never been part of my discussion in politics. Absolutely not,” he said.
The PDP chieftain maintained that Nigerians should be assessed as citizens regardless of their religious backgrounds.
When the discussion shifted to ethnicity, Ulasi acknowledged that ethnic identity was an undeniable part of Nigerian society but cautioned against using it as an instrument of political division.
He explained that a person’s name or ethnic background did not diminish their status as a Nigerian, arguing that national identity should remain central to political participation.
Ulasi also criticised opposition parties for failing to make sufficient use of Nigerians’ economic grievances against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He cited inflation, rising food prices and other economic difficulties as issues opposition parties could use to present alternative policies to voters ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, he questioned whether opposition figures were doing enough to engage Nigerians and explain how they would address the country’s challenges.
Ulasi said opposition parties should organise town hall meetings across the geopolitical zones to communicate their programmes and engage citizens directly.
He added that he had not seen the level of nationwide engagement he expected from opposition leaders.
The Nigeria Police Force has warned Nigerian youths against allowing themselves to be used as instruments of political violence ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying their future is more valuable than temporary political inducements.
The warning was contained in a goodwill message delivered by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Annie Iniedu, on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, at a National Orientation Agency (NOA) initiative to mobilise Nigerians at the grassroots ahead of the elections on Thursday.
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The initiative was held under the theme, “Your Vote, Your Voice, Your Future.”
In the message, the Inspector-General urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to embrace issue-based campaigns, tolerance and respect for the rule of law.
“Elections must never become a licence for thuggery, intimidation, vote-buying, ballot-snatching, destruction of electoral materials, or violence,” he said.
Addressing young Nigerians, the police chief warned them against becoming instruments of political violence.
“To our youths in particular: do not allow yourselves to be used as instruments of political violence. Your future is more valuable than any temporary political inducement,” he said.
He also urged eligible voters to reject voter apathy and vote-buying, encouraging them to protect their votes and participate peacefully in the electoral process.
“To all our eligible voters, I urge you to reject voter apathy and vote-buying. Your vote is your voice. Protect it, exercise it peacefully, and allow democracy to work for our nation,” he said.
The Inspector-General assured Nigerians that the police would work with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), other security agencies and relevant stakeholders to protect the integrity of the 2027 elections.
He said the collaboration would involve intelligence sharing, inter-agency cooperation and professional policing to provide a safe and secure environment for voters.
“The Nigerian Police Force assures all Nigerians that we shall remain professional, impartial, and firm against criminal elements seeking to undermine the electoral process,” he said.
The police chief further called for collective efforts to ensure peaceful and credible elections in 2027.
“Let us collectively ensure that in 2027, the ballot defeats the bullet, ideas defeat intimidation, and democracy defeats violence,” he said.
He also urged Nigerians to mobilise for peace, responsible leadership and a credible electoral process ahead of the general elections.
The efforts of the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) would count for nothing, except for the person who delivers his or her ward at the polls.
Nigeria’s President, and party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election, Bola Ahmed Tinubu made it clear during the inauguration of the council at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, on Wednesday.
“No one gets credit for an incomplete assignment. So, until you deliver the next election, until you deliver your wards, until you deliver the votes, before we can say thank you,” he said.
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The president, who expressed gratitude to party members for their support in the previous election, said the inauguration was more than a formal gathering, describing it as a renewed commitment to Nigerians.
“The APC is ready. We have not gathered merely to inaugurate a council; we have gathered to renew a covenant, a covenant with the Nigerian people and the historic responsibility they have entrusted to us as Nigeria’s governing party. We promise we will not let them down,” he said.
Tinubu also expressed confidence in the party’s ability to secure victory.
“I celebrate you. I celebrate you, no doubt about that. Nigeria will continue to celebrate you. You will see the joy of this victory. You will share in the joy,” he said.
The president also said he would not participate in every aspect of the campaign, stressing that his responsibilities as head of state would remain a priority.
He said party members had cautioned him against allowing the demands of campaigning to distract him from governance, adding that he agreed with their position.
“You have warned me and asked me not to allow the rigour of the campaign to distract me from governance. I hear you. I am in full agreement with your decision. Nigeria needs more attention now than ever before.
“The responsibility of this office does not pause. That responsibility did not recognise our agenda here today. The Constitution allows INEC to make room for parliament but not for the campaign. The job must go on,” he stated.
He, however, pledged to make time to address Nigerians directly while the campaign council coordinates activities across the country.
“However, I will still make time to speak directly with Nigerians even as you lead the campaign in the states and local government areas, so you will excuse me from going everywhere with you,” he said.
The campaign council is chaired by Tinubu, with Vice-President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda serving as first and second vice-chairmen, respectively.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq are the deputy vice-chairmen.
Former Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari was named director-general of the council.
Other appointments include Femi Gbajabiamila as head of administration, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma as secretary, and former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje as director of stakeholder mobilisation.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was also listed among the party’s campaign officials, while Dele Alake was named spokesman.
The council’s structure includes directorates responsible for mobilisation, election planning and monitoring, finance, fundraising and regional coordination.
The party has also named political figures outside its ranks to coordinate support in some states and regions, including Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike for Rivers State and the FCT, Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo for Anambra, and Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke for Osun.
President Tinubu is seeking a second term in the 2027 presidential election, which the Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled for January 16, 2027.
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