During the state’s local government elections on Saturday, October 5, 2024, Atiku observed that the people of Rivers State talked with “harmonious union.”

According to Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president of Nigeria, the local government elections in Rivers State have “dissipated shadows of political intimidation and judicial chicanery in the state.”

Atiku stated that the people of Rivers State spoke in “harmonious union” during the state’s local government elections on Saturday, October 5, 2024, in a post published on his official X account on Sunday.

“The shadows of political intimidation and judicial chicanery have dissipated with the conclusion of the local government election in Rivers State, paving the way for the noble pursuit of governance to commence in the State,” he declared.

“People have spoken in unison, from the busy centre of Port Harcourt to the serene shores of Onne, affirming that nothing can better democracy.”

He also remarked that the people have indicated that they are against despotism and self-serving godfathers.

“As predicted, it is now evident that the people of Rivers are wise and firm, steadfast in their denial of any kind of political repression, intimidation, or the schemes of self-serving godfathers,” the speaker declared.

As I give the newly elected local government leaders my sincere congratulations, I implore them to make the welfare of the people their first priority and to avoid despotism and irrational ambition in their political undertakings.

In addition, I applaud the resilient people of Rivers State for their courage in the face of difficulty and for making sure that yesterday’s election was conducted in a peaceful and honest manner.

In spite of aggressive obstacles, Governor Fubara @SimFubaraKSC has maintained his steadfast dedication to the people’s interests and has protected the integrity of local government elections, which Atiku praised.

“The people are the ones who will ultimately emerge victorious in this election, their sacred right to choose their leaders firmly upheld within the framework of our democratic process,” the statement he issued said.

The way local government elections are conducted has been the subject of controversy.

Nyesom Wike, a former governor of Rivers State and current minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and current governor Fubara have been at odds about who controls the PDP’s political apparatus in the state.

While this was going on, opinions on how the elections were conducted, in which the Action Peoples Party (APP) was declared the winner of 22 of the 23 state chairperson posts, were divided.