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Rivers LG Poll Sparks Storm: Jake Epelle Calls It a “Democratic Scam” as APC Sweeps 20 Councils, PDP Gets 3
By DocuNews Central Staff
The Election That Shook Rivers State
The August 30 Rivers State local government poll has now become one of the most talked-about events in Nigeria’s politics this year.
The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner in 20 out of 23 local government areas. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was left with just three councils.
On paper, it looked like a landslide. But in truth, it has opened up a storm of anger, fear, and fresh division in the oil-rich state.
Jake Epelle’s Harsh Words
Jake Epelle, a civil rights leader and head of TAF Africa, did not hold back. In media talks after the vote, he called the election a “democratic scam.”
He said it was “totally illegal and unconstitutional.” In his words, the poll was like a movie script acted out on the streets.
Epelle argued that no free and fair vote took place. Instead, what happened was a power show by big names in Rivers politics.
Silverbird and Channels TV Appearances
Epelle spoke on Channels Television and also had a slot on Silverbird TV. On both shows, he repeated one theme: the poll had no true legitimacy.
He said what Rivers people saw on August 30 was not democracy, but an arranged event.
While there is no hard record of him saying the results were “20 for Wike, 3 for Fubara,” the outcome of the poll has made many in Rivers believe that the process was already fixed before the first ballot.
The 20 vs 3 Narrative
Weeks before the election, whispers were everywhere. There was talk of a deal or “collabo” between political giants.
BusinessDay, a respected paper, reported that some party primaries already showed a pattern: APC would take 20 councils, PDP would settle for 3.
Now that RSIEC’s results match that same figure, the talk has only grown louder. For many, it feels less like coincidence and more like proof of a plan.
The Wike vs Fubara Struggle
At the heart of it all is the political war between Nyesom Wike (the former governor, now FCT Minister) and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Wike remains a strongman in Rivers politics. He controls loyal lawmakers, local leaders, and a huge network.
Fubara, on the other hand, is the sitting governor. But his fight with Wike has left him politically wounded.
This election result, with APC sweeping 20 councils, has been read by analysts as Wike’s show of force.
Reactions Across Rivers State
The news of the results spread fast. In Port Harcourt and beyond, many residents shook their heads.
Some said:
“This was not an election, it was a show.”
“They had already shared the councils like meat at a feast.”
“We knew the results even before the vote.”
For others, there was fear. Fear that this deep fight between Wike and Fubara could lead to more street clashes in a state already known for political violence.
Atiku and PDP Cry Foul
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and some PDP leaders have also spoken. They called for the poll to be canceled.
They argue that the exercise had no credibility, and that Rivers people were denied their true voice.
But so far, RSIEC has stood by its figures. The commission says the results are final.
What Epelle Really Meant
When Jake Epelle called the vote a “democratic scam,” he was speaking about more than just Rivers.
He warned that if Nigeria keeps holding polls that look fixed, then the people will lose faith in democracy itself.
He added that Rivers has now given the country a new phrase: “democratic scam.” For him, that means an election that is dressed up as free, but is really a scripted show of power.
Life in Rivers After the Poll
Beyond the headlines, what does this mean for the ordinary man and woman in Rivers?
For traders in Mile One market, for students at UniPort, for fishermen in Andoni?
It means more uncertainty. It means that local government funds, projects, and jobs may now be tied up in the Wike–Fubara struggle.
It means that those who hoped for new roads, clean water, or health care in their local areas may have to wait while politicians share power and play games.
Why People Feel Cheated
The anger is not just about who won or lost. It is about trust.
People feel that their voices did not count. That decisions were made in private rooms, long before polling day.
For many, the sight of APC winning 20 councils and PDP getting 3 was not a surprise. It was simply the rubber stamp of a script already written.
Can Democracy Survive This?
Experts now ask: if local elections can be arranged like this, what happens in 2027?
Will Rivers people trust the ballot box again?
Will young people, many of whom stayed away on polling day, ever believe that their vote matters?
These are hard questions with no easy answers.
The Law and The Constitution
Epelle also raised a point about legality. He said the poll was not just unfair but illegal and unconstitutional.
Some lawyers in Rivers agree. They say the election breached laws on how and when local polls should be held.
If courts take up the matter, this may drag on for months. But for now, RSIEC’s word is law.
A State in Political Chains
Rivers is a rich state. It is the heartbeat of Nigeria’s oil industry. Yet, its people often feel trapped.
Trapped between big men fighting for power. Trapped between parties who think of numbers, not of lives.
The August 30 election is one more chapter in this story. A story where power, not the people, seems to decide the future.
Looking Ahead
Where does Rivers go from here?
If Wike holds 20 councils, his grip remains strong.
If Fubara is left with just 3, his struggle for relevance grows harder.
If Rivers people feel cheated, they may lose hope in voting.
And when hope dies, democracy itself is in danger.
The Human Cost
It is easy to talk of numbers: 20 vs 3. But behind those numbers are human lives.
A mother in Degema who wanted clean water.
A teacher in Obio/Akpor who wanted better pay.
A young man in Eleme who wanted jobs, not fights.
For them, politics is not about power games. It is about survival.
Yet, their voices seem drowned out by the clash of giants.
What Rivers People Want
In street talks across Port Harcourt, one line is clear: “We just want peace.”
Many do not care if APC has 20 or PDP has 3. They care about food, safety, and jobs.
But peace will remain far if leaders see elections as a game of sharing spoils.
DocuNews Central’s Call
At DocuNews Central, we believe democracy is about people, not power deals.
The Rivers LG poll shows how fragile Nigeria’s system still is. It shows how trust can be broken in a single day.
The voices of Rivers must not be ignored.
Final Word
The Rivers local government poll may be over, but the story is not.
It is a story of numbers: 20 vs 3.
It is a story of power: Wike vs Fubara.
It is a story of anger: Epelle’s “democratic scam.”
And it is a story of hope: the hope that one day, Rivers people will have an election where their votes truly count.
Until then, Rivers remains a state in waiting.
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