Wike Backs Tinubu’s Electoral Act Modification for Rivers LG Polls
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to modify provisions of the Electoral Act to enable the conduct of local government elections in Rivers State.
Speaking during a media chat on Monday, Wike argued that the President acted within the law, citing historical precedents and previous judicial rulings.
According to him, Tinubu’s move was backed by the Emergency Act of 1961, which empowered the Governor-General and later the President to suspend or adjust certain laws during emergencies. He noted that this authority was retained in 2004, when then-President Olusegun Obasanjo issued regulations under the modification law.
“President Tinubu only built on an existing precedent,” Wike said. “The regulations he issued were to suspend or modify aspects of the Electoral Act 2022 and state laws, to make it possible for Rivers to hold local elections within 90 days.”
The former Rivers governor dismissed critics he described as “television advocates” who, in his words, prefer media commentary over legal action. He insisted that only the courts, not public opinion can determine the legality of government actions.
Wike also referred to a past Supreme Court ruling secured by his legal team, which restricted local governments’ access to funds and barred governors from appointing caretaker committees. He explained that Tinubu’s regulations effectively set aside that ruling, making it possible for local councils to receive funds and resume democratic functions.
According to him, the President’s decision to order elections within 30 days, rather than extend a state of emergency, was a “strategic step” to restore stability at the grassroots.
“Without these modifications, local governments would remain unable to access their funds, and the crisis at the grassroots level of governance would only worsen,” Wike said.
The Rivers local government elections are expected to take place under the new regulations, with the presidency insisting that the move is aimed at strengthening democratic structures across the state.