The chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Rivers State, Success Jack, has warned against any attempt to interfere with the outcome of the 2027 presidential election in the state.
Jack made the statement following comments by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike about the 2023 presidential election and Peter Obi’s performance in Rivers.
Wike said he and other members of the former G-5 governors deliberately stopped Obi from winning Rivers during the 2023 presidential contest.
The former Rivers governor explained that the G-5 had sought to prevent Atiku Abubakar, the PDP candidate at the time, from benefiting from the party’s strength in the South-South. He said the group allowed Obi to win in some states but decided that he should not win Rivers.
‘Electoral System Has Changed’
Reacting to the development, Jack said the political environment and electoral system were different from what obtained in 2023.
He said voters would closely monitor the process, including the handling and transmission of results.
“What the Minister said doesn’t worry me a bit because the electoral system has changed,” the NDC chairman said.
Jack added that attempts to manipulate results would face resistance from voters and party supporters.
INEC Result System
INEC has continued to use technology in the management and viewing of election results.
The commission’s IReV platform allows polling-unit result sheets to be uploaded for public viewing. INEC also said it had introduced additional safeguards into the BVAS-based result management system to address potential manipulation during collation and transmission.
However, the existence of these systems does not by itself establish that every future election will be free from irregularities. INEC has acknowledged that result collation remains an important area requiring safeguards.
Security Concerns Raised
Jack also referred to concerns about the possible use of security agencies during elections.
“There are talks about using security agencies to intimidate voters, but I’m not sure that will work,” he said.
He maintained that voters would remain vigilant at polling units and during the result-management process.
Political Tensions Ahead of 2027
Wike’s comments have added another dimension to the political debate ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The FCT minister has said the G-5 governors adopted their 2023 strategy because they considered Atiku a major political concern in the South-South. He has also argued that the political circumstances surrounding the 2023 election have changed.
Jack, however, said any attempt to repeat what he described as political interference would face resistance in Rivers.
“Whatever the Minister said, I wish him well, but not in our Rivers State,” he said.
INEC’s published timetable currently schedules Nigeria’s presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027.
