Jake Epelle Condemns Rivers State LG Elections as a ‘Democratic Scam’

The controversy surrounding the recent local government elections in Rivers State has intensified with a scathing critique from a prominent civil society leader, Jake Epelle. The founder and CEO of TAF Africa (formerly The Albino Foundation), a human rights and electoral advocate, has reportedly branded the polls as a “democratic scam” and “totally illegal.”

Epelle, a well-known voice in policy development and advocacy, reportedly made the remarks during a television interview. His condemnation is rooted in the widely held belief among civil society organizations and legal experts that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) failed to comply with the Electoral Act. The law requires a minimum of 90 days’ notice to be given to political parties before any local government elections are held. Critics, including Epelle, allege that this legal requirement was not met, thus rendering the entire exercise unlawful.

Epelle’s comments echo the sentiments of other critics, including presidential aspirant Peter Obi, who had previously described the polls as “rascality taken too far.” The public outcry, which also saw several political parties and civil society groups call for a total boycott of the elections, underscores a broad loss of public confidence in the process.

While the Rivers State Government and its electoral body, RSIEC, have yet to issue a direct response to Epelle’s specific comments, they have previously defended the elections, citing a court ruling that cleared the way for the vote. However, critics argue that the ruling did not address the fundamental issue of the lack of proper notice.

Epelle’s criticism adds significant weight to the growing demand for electoral reform at the grassroots level. As a figure known for his advocacy on behalf of marginalized communities and for transparent governance, his statement places the controversial Rivers polls firmly on the national agenda, raising critical questions about the integrity and legality of the democratic process in the state.