Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has strongly condemned the conduct of the Rivers State Local Government election, describing it as “rascality taken too far” and a “mockery of democracy.”
In a statement released on Sunday, Obi criticized the decision to allow a Sole Administrator, allegedly appointed through an illegal process, to oversee an election meant to empower the people. He noted that such actions amount to the desecration of the democratic foundation of the country.
“This is not democracy,” Obi declared. “Illegality can never give birth to legitimacy. Any structure erected on a foundation of lawlessness is a danger to both the state and the people.
The former Anambra State governor warned that Nigeria is treading a dangerous path by undermining the people’s will, particularly at the grassroots level, where democracy should be most vibrant.
Obi urged stakeholders and leaders to prioritize the sanctity of the ballot and ensure that leadership at every level reflects the true mandate of the people. “If we truly seek progress, we must uphold the people’s right to choose and stop mocking democracy with contrived processes,” he said.
He added that restoring credibility to elections is the only way to rebuild trust between leaders and the citizens, thereby giving real meaning to governance.