Peter Obi Slams Rivers State LG Poll, Calls it ‘Rascality Taken Too Far’

The controversy surrounding the recent local government elections in Rivers State has drawn sharp criticism from a prominent national political figure, Peter Obi. The Labour Party chieftain has reportedly described the process as “a rascality taken too far,” echoing the sentiments of many civil society organizations and opposition parties that had called for a boycott.

The elections, which were held on Saturday, August 30, 2025, were mired in controversy even before they began. Political analysts and civil society groups had raised serious concerns about the legitimacy of the process, particularly because the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) allegedly failed to give the mandatory 90-day notice to political parties before the polls.

Obi’s strong rebuke of the electoral process highlights the persistent issues plaguing local government elections in Nigeria, where state electoral commissions are often accused of being instruments of the ruling party. The Rivers polls were no exception, taking place amidst a well-publicized political struggle within the state that observers say influenced the entire process.

While the Rivers State government, through its officials, has commended the peaceful conduct of the polls, opposition voices continue to raise concerns about the credibility of the state-appointed electoral commission. The outcome of the elections, which saw the ruling party reportedly win across all wards, has further fueled skepticism about the fairness and transparency of the process.

Peter Obi’s statement reinforces his consistent call for credible elections at all levels of government. His use of the term “rascality” is a familiar one, which he has previously used to describe what he perceived as irregularities in past elections. For the Labour Party and other opposition groups, the Rivers State local government election is not just a local issue but a symbolic example of what they see as a systematic flaw in Nigeria’s electoral system.