How Wike manipulated 2023 election in Rivers — EU mission report
Former governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike, was indicted as one of those who made efforts to compromise the integrity of Nigeria’s 2023 general elections in the European Union Election Observation Mission Nigeria 2023 Final Report.
According to the report published recently, Mr Wike’s executive overreach unbalanced the fair playground in his state, where he single-handedly imposed grossly restrictive regulations.
The EU recalled that candidates and political parties were denied access to public facilities due to restriction orders by sitting governors.
“EU observers recorded denials of access to opposition candidates to state-owned stadiums and school premises, selectively imposed excessive venue fees, as well as cases of some roads being temporarily blocked, and party offices closed to impede campaigning by opponent candidates,” the report said.
It added, “46 EU EOM observers also noted a particularly constrained campaign environment in Rivers State with the governor imposing campaign rules that were more restrictive than INEC regulations.” Advertisements Peoples Gazette documented Mr Wike’s onslaught against his political adversaries several times
At the final lap of the campaign, he withdrew a permit earlier issued to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to allow its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to use the Adokiye Amiesimaka stadium for a campaign event. In some other cases, thugs suspected to be loyal to the governor unleashed mayhem at opposition events and invaded the residence of his rivals.
In what many termed a gross abuse of office, Mr Wike withdrew the occupancy titles of private properties and sealed campaign offices of his political rivals, setting an unbecoming low for a former aspirant to the office of the president.
Analysts argued that the gravity of Mr Wike’s actions could have earned him a visa ban from the United States. However, the state department, which took coordinated measures against election disruptors, did not announce the names of individuals featured on their list.
The former governor has recently continued his open political infidelity with his newfound allies in the All Progressives Congress (APC). It is believed that he might be seeking a more pronounced role in Abuja as the new administration rolls out its personnel.
