Chief Executive Officer of TAF Africa, Jake Epelle, has condemned the August 30, 2025, local government elections in Rivers State, describing the exercise as a “democratic scam” and “totally unconstitutional.”
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, Epelle argued that the elections lacked legitimacy since they were conducted under a democratically elected government but in violation of constitutional provisions.
“It’s unfortunate we’re living in interesting political times. What played out in Rivers State on Saturday can only be described as unprecedented manoeuvring — a sham, and what looks like a democratic scam,” he said.
He further described the polls as “absolutely a slap on the people of Rivers State,” insisting that the results announced by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) did not reflect the reality on the ground.
Epelle urged residents, particularly the youth, not to be provoked into violence, while warning that the exercise could trigger a constitutional crisis as it would likely be challenged in court.
RSIEC had declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) winners in 20 out of the 23 local government areas, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured victory in three councils.
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