Former Minister Rotimi Amaechi Claims Peter Obi Secured Rivers State Victory Before Results Were Allegedly Altered in 2023 Election

 

Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has stirred political conversation by alleging that Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, actually emerged victorious in Rivers State during the February 2023 elections before the results were allegedly altered. His remarks have reignited debates surrounding the transparency of the poll results and the integrity of the electoral process.

Speaking during an X Space conversation on Saturday, Amaechi openly admitted his belief that Obi had more votes than officially declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. He told participants that he agreed with the notion of Obi winning the state but added a crucial caveat, claiming he could not explain how the official outcome was changed.

The former governor of Rivers State, who played a significant role in the All Progressives Congress (APC) during previous elections, surprised many listeners with this revelation. While Amaechi stopped short of accusing any specific individuals or entities of manipulating the results, his statement marked one of the most direct acknowledgements from a political heavyweight that the published results for Rivers State might not reflect the actual votes cast.

Officially, INEC announced that President Bola Tinubu of the APC secured 231,591 votes in Rivers State, while Peter Obi’s Labour Party polled 175,071 votes. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar, placed third with 88,468 votes. These figures placed APC as the winner in the state, a result which many opposition supporters and election observers had questioned from the start.

Political analysts have long noted that Rivers State presented one of the most contentious battlegrounds during the 2023 presidential race. The state has traditionally been a stronghold of the PDP but saw significant shifts in voting patterns ahead of the election. Observers pointed to an unusual alliance between some influential state politicians and the ruling APC, leading to suspicions of behind-the-scenes maneuvering.

Amaechi’s claim adds fresh fuel to these suspicions, particularly because of his unique position in the political landscape. As a former Rivers State governor and former member of the federal cabinet, his words carry weight, and his knowledge of the local political terrain is widely acknowledged. His remarks could further polarize opinions in a state still grappling with post-election tensions.

The Labour Party has maintained since March 2023 that their candidate performed far better in Rivers than officially recognized. Party officials previously cited independent vote counts from polling units and accounts from party agents, suggesting that LP had secured a decisive win before the collation stage. Several civil society groups also reported irregularities in the collation and announcement process for the state.

Amaechi’s decision to speak on the matter months after the election raises questions about timing and motivation. Some political commentators believe his statement could be linked to ongoing internal power struggles within APC, especially in Rivers State where alliances are shifting ahead of future political contests. Others suggest that he may be seeking to position himself as an advocate for electoral integrity, regardless of party affiliations.

Reactions to the former minister’s statement have been swift. Supporters of Peter Obi and the Labour Party have embraced the remarks as validation of their claims that the vote was manipulated. On social media, LP loyalists have circulated Amaechi’s comments alongside past videos and reports that hinted at irregularities in the state’s results.

Conversely, APC loyalists and some Rivers State political figures have dismissed his statement as speculative. They argue that the election was concluded months ago, with legal challenges addressed through the courts. According to them, raising such claims at this stage does little more than rekindle political divisions.

INEC has yet to issue a formal response to Amaechi’s comments. The commission has consistently defended the legitimacy of its declared results, emphasizing that any disputes should be resolved through the judiciary. The presidential election petitions tribunal, and subsequently the Supreme Court, had upheld Tinubu’s victory across the country, including Rivers State.

The latest controversy underscores the enduring skepticism many Nigerians hold toward the electoral process. Allegations of vote tampering, ballot box snatching, and collation irregularities have been recurring features in the country’s elections. For some citizens, Amaechi’s words will serve as yet another reminder of the urgent need for reforms that can restore trust in democratic institutions.

Whether Amaechi’s remarks will spark any official investigation remains uncertain. However, the political ramifications are clear. By publicly agreeing that Peter Obi had likely won Rivers State, Amaechi has inserted himself into one of the most contentious narratives of the 2023 elections, ensuring that debates over what truly happened in the oil-rich state will continue long after the ballots were cast.

The statement has also placed renewed pressure on political actors to confront questions about accountability and transparency. For many Nigerians, the hope is that such revelations, however belated, can contribute to a future where the will of the people is fully reflected in electoral outcomes.