KEY POINTS

• FCT Minister Nyesom Wike accused of undermining President Tinubu’s authority.
• Evans Bipi criticized Wike for allegedly instructing the Inspector General to withdraw police from Rivers LG elections.
• Despite police absence, Rivers State conducted one of the most peaceful local government elections.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has come under criticism for allegedly overstepping his boundaries and undermining the authority of President Bola Tinubu by attempting to halt local government elections in Rivers State.

Accusation of overreach

The warning came from Evans Bipi, the outgoing Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area in Rivers State.

Bipi accused Wike of attempting to direct Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to withdraw security from the recently held local government elections in Rivers State, an action that reportedly contravened the directive given by President Tinubu.

The elections, conducted on President Tinubu’s orders, were meant to adhere to a Supreme Court decision demanding that all states conduct local government elections before October 30. Bipi questioned the Inspector General’s compliance with Wike’s alleged order, stating that such actions amounted to an undermining of presidential powers.

“The President gave clear instructions, and no one, not even his appointees, should countermand those directives,” Bipi emphasized.

He also accused Wike of seeking control over Rivers State’s resources and warned President Tinubu to be vigilant regarding Wike’s ambitions, highlighting the potential threat posed to presidential authority.

Rivers state LG election controversy

Bipi further criticized the Federal High Court in Abuja, arguing that it lacked jurisdiction to interfere in the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) election processes, which are constitutionally mandated.

Moreover, he accused Wike of misleading the court into issuing an order that contradicted the Supreme Court’s judgment regarding local government autonomy.

Despite the absence of police presence, Bipi praised Governor Siminalayi Fubara for ensuring the smooth and peaceful conduct of the local government elections in Ogu/Bolo and other areas of Rivers State.

According to Vanguard, he commended the local population for their calm demeanor, high voter turnout, and peaceful participation amid heightened political tensions.

Bipi described the election as one of the most peaceful local government elections in Nigeria’s history. Furthermore, he attributed this success to the resilience and unity of the people of Ogu/Bolo and emphasized their commitment to democracy.

Stakeholders speak out

Retired Navy Captain Erasmus Victor, a prominent stakeholder in Ogu/Bolo, expressed his disappointment with the Nigerian Police’s decision to withdraw their presence from the election.

He stated that the move had further damaged the credibility of the force and underscored the need for law enforcement agencies to uphold their responsibilities during sensitive political events.

The situation has highlighted divisions among top officials, with accusations of power struggles affecting electoral processes.

Bipi called for greater unity and alignment between state and federal authorities to ensure respect for constitutional mandates and uphold local government autonomy.