The European Union Election Observation Mission Nigeria 2023 Final Report named former Rivers state governor Nyesom Wike as one of those who attempted to undermine the credibility of Nigeria’s 2023 national elections.
The recently released assessment claims that Mr. Wike’s administrative overreach, when he unilaterally imposed draconian regulations, imbalanced the fair playground in his state.
The EU remembered that restrictions imposed by in-office governors prevented candidates and political parties from using public spaces.
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“EU observers recorded denials of access to opposition candidates to state-owned stadiums and school premises, selectively imposed excessive venue fees, as well as cases of some roads being temporarily blocked, and party offices closed to impede campaigning by opponent candidates,” the report said.
It added, “46 EU EOM observers also noted a particularly constrained campaign environment in Rivers State with the governor imposing campaign rules that were more restrictive than INEC regulations.”
Wike revoked the permission he had previously given to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to use the Adokiye Amiesimaka stadium for a campaign event during the closing stretch of the election.
In other instances, thugs thought to be loyal to the governor wreaked havoc at protests and broke into the homes of his opponents.
Mr. Wike sealed the campaign offices of his political competitors and removed the occupancy titles of their private homes in what many viewed as a blatant misuse of power, establishing a low standard for a former candidate for president.
