Politics
Rivers: INEC, Wike Accused Of Plotting To Rig Gov Election
A coalition of five opposition political parties in Rivers State has pledged to prevent any effort to manipulate the upcoming governorship and State House of Assembly elections on March 18.
During a joint press conference held in Port Harcourt, the parties accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of collaborating with the state government to sabotage the election.
The political parties include the All Progressives Congress (APC), National Rescue Movement, Labour Party, African Democratic Congress, and Action Alliance.
Tonye Cole, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, alleged that Governor Nyesom Wike is planning to suppress opposition parties during the upcoming election.
Cole said, “We demand that INEC should stop all government officials from accessing the collation centres.
“We also demand INEC to restrict the movement of government officials, including the Governor and Local Government Chairmen at the collation centres, as their presence will compromise the electoral process.
“We want a peaceful, free and fair election. Only accredited party agents should have access to the collation centres.
Continuing, he said, “INEC should assure us that the BVAS will work this time and that results will be uploaded at the polling units.
“Then there should be adequate security at the Local Government collation centres on March 18.”
Similarly, the governorship candidate of NRM, Sobomabo Jackreech, accused INEC of colluding with Wike to rig the elections even before March 18th and urged the commission to come out clean.
He stated, “The information we have is that they have perfected plans to rig at the local government collation centres and INEC is in collaboration with them.
On his part, the ADC governorship candidate, Tonte Ibraye, vowed to resist any form of rigging.
When approached for comment, Mr. Mark Usulor, the Head of Voter Education and Publicity in Rivers for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), refuted the allegations made by the opposition political parties.
According to Mr. Usulor, the accusations are unfounded and lack any basis in truth.
Usulor said, “It is not true and can never be true. It is a false allegation, fake news and misinformation.
“Such allegation should be discountenanced because it is baseless and lack foundation.
“We are a transparent electoral commission even though we had some glitches in the last election.
“But that doesn’t mean we are colluding with any political party or government because it is not in our ethics.
“We are here to conduct a credible and acceptable election for the people of Rivers State.”
Also, the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Chris Finebone, said the parties were expressing unfounded fears and propaganda.
Finebone said, “In the last election, the governor after several hours was able to vote because of the malfunctioning of the BVAS machine and thereafter he left for his house.
“Whatever you heard about him going around trying to influence people is fake news. Nothing of such happened and I believe you monitored the election.
“What is happening is that they are foreseeing their failure and trying to lay a foundation of a narrative that will explain their failure in the election.” He added.
The Presidency has taken a swipe at Peter Obi following his recent exit from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), intensifying political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Reacting to the development, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, criticised Obi’s decision to leave the party, suggesting the former Anambra State governor lacks the capacity to compete within the ADC.
SEE MORE: BREAKING: Peter Obi Dumps ADC Ahead of 2027 Election
Onanuga, who spoke via his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, dismissed Obi’s reasons for quitting the party as weak and self-serving, insisting that the former Labour Party presidential candidate was avoiding internal contest.
“We told you so. The political nomad is on the move again. Ignore all those puerile reasons he gave… a self-serving letter to his mob,” Onanuga wrote.
He further alleged that Obi deliberately avoided facing key political heavyweights within the ADC, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi.
“Peter Obi is a politician made of jelly, an opportunistic fellow. He can’t fight Atiku or Amaechi for the ticket of ADC. He pursues the easy road, that will only lead him to doom, like in 2023,” he added.
Obi had earlier announced his resignation from the ADC, citing internal crises, endless litigations, and what he described as a toxic political climate within the party.
He maintained that his decision was not based on personal grievances against the party leadership.
“Let me state clearly: my decision to leave the ADC is not because our highly respected Chairman, Senator David Mark, treated me badly, nor because my leader and elder brother, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, or any other respected leaders did anything personally wrong to me. I will continue to respect them,” Obi said.
He, however, alleged that forces responsible for instability in the Labour Party were beginning to infiltrate the ADC, creating division and distracting from national issues.
Presidential hopeful, Peter Obi, has announced his decision to leave the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, citing worsening internal crises, political interference, and what he described as a toxic political environment.
In a detailed statement shared on his official X handle on Sunday, Obi said the decision followed deep reflection on the state of Nigeria’s political system and his experiences within party structures.
SEE ALSO: Minimum Wage Can’t Sustain Life Anymore — Peter Obi
He said: “My decision to leave the ADC is not because our respected leaders treated me badly… I will continue to respect them.”
Obi specifically mentioned former Senate President David Mark and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, stressing that his exit was not due to personal grievances with them.
According to him, the real issue lies in persistent instability within political parties, worsened by interference, court cases, and internal divisions.
“The same forces that created crises in my previous political experience are now appearing in the ADC,” he said.
Obi lamented what he described as a harsh political climate in Nigeria, where integrity and humility are often misunderstood.
“We live in a system where humility is mistaken for weakness and integrity is questioned,” he stated.
He also expressed frustration over how sincere political efforts are often met with criticism and suspicion.
Despite his exit, Obi reaffirmed his commitment to national service, stressing that his ambition is not about political office.
“I am not desperate to be President… I am desperate to see a better Nigeria,” he said.
He added that his concern remains focused on insecurity, poverty, and improving living conditions for ordinary Nigerians.
Meanwhile, former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso said consultations are still ongoing among political stakeholders, adding that no final decision has been made regarding broader alignments.
Obi ended his statement on a hopeful note:
“A new Nigeria is POssible.”
He did not disclose his next political destination at the time of filing this report.
Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State have taken a decisive step toward the 2027 governorship election by purchasing the expression of interest and nomination forms for Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The move, announced on Friday, was led by a delegation headed by a member of the House of Representatives, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, who described the action as a collective decision by party stakeholders across the state.
According to Abiante, the gesture reflects widespread confidence in Fubara’s leadership and a growing demand for continuity among Rivers residents.
READ ALSO: Fubara Shares Palliatives at Community Affected by Gas Emission
“This decision is rooted in the will of the people. It is not about personal ambition or financial strength, but about sustaining a leadership that has shown commitment to development,” he said.
He noted that the governor’s administration has recorded notable progress in infrastructure, particularly in previously hard-to-reach riverine communities.
Abiante cited improved access in areas such as Andoni, as well as the rehabilitation of key public facilities, including the State Secretariat, as indicators of performance.
The lawmaker also highlighted what he described as improved welfare for citizens and a leadership style that is both responsive and people-focused.
“This is a governor who understands the needs of his people and takes action. The support he is receiving is a reflection of that connection,” he added.
Abiante, however, clarified that the governor neither initiated nor influenced the purchase of the forms, stressing that the move was purely driven by stakeholders.
The development comes amid ongoing political realignments in Rivers State following the rift between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
The fallout had earlier caused divisions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and reshaped the political dynamics in the state.
Fubara’s subsequent defection to the APC has further intensified political activities as he works to consolidate support ahead of the next election cycle.
The nomination forms are expected to be formally presented to the governor as consultations and alignments within the party continue.
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