By Ismaeel Aleem
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Monday defended the legality of the recently conducted local government elections in Rivers State, dismissing claims of illegality and accusing sections of the media of spreading misinformation due to poor research.
Speaking at a media parley, Wike insisted that the elections were held in line with constitutional provisions and presidential powers under emergency rule.
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He expressed frustration with media coverage, citing in particular a television segment he had watched before voting on Saturday.
“The problem we have in this country is misinformation,” he said, criticising journalists for failing to conduct thorough research.
“It’s not my fault that you refuse to do your work. If you want to go into this area, you have to be a researcher. You have to be adequately informed so that when you are asking questions, you are confronting people with facts.”
Responding to claims that the polls violated the Electoral Act because of the ongoing emergency rule in Rivers State, the former governor cited the Emergency Powers Act of 2004, signed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
He explained that the Act grants the President authority to suspend or modify certain legal provisions during emergencies to ensure governance continuity.
“The President has the power to suspend some sections, which he did through the regulation he made,” Wike said, dismissing arguments about the 90-day or 150-day electoral notice requirements.
He argued that conducting the elections was crucial to maintaining governance and ensuring local governments had access to statutory funds.
“If this election is not conducted, how will local governments access funds from the Federation Account? How will civil servants be paid? You will have a crisis,” he said, stressing the necessity of the polls to prevent administrative and financial breakdown in the state.
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The minister also criticised non-legal experts for misinterpreting the constitution. “You are not a lawyer, you are not a judge, but you make yourself a judge to interpret the Constitution. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse,” he declared.
Wike’s remarks underscored the growing tensions between political actors and media narratives over the Rivers State elections, as he called for better-informed public discourse.
