The recent local government elections in Rivers State have been condemned as a “grand betrayal of democracy” by Moses Paul, chairmanship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

In a statement released on Monday, Paul faulted the conduct of the polls, which he claimed were overseen by a sole administrator illegally imposed in the first place.

“What we have just witnessed in Rivers State is not an election; it is a betrayal of the people. To allow a sole administrator, illegally imposed in the first place, to conduct a local government election is a double tragedy: a democracy denied, and a people silenced,” he said.

He described the process as unconstitutional and illegitimate, insisting that “illegality can never produce legitimacy.” According to him, any government built on falsehood and lawlessness amounts to “tyranny in disguise.”

Paul further warned that grassroots democracy, which he called the heartbeat of Nigeria, was under serious threat.

“If we kill it, we kill the nation’s future. That is why I stand firmly with the people, for free elections, for true representation, for leadership that flows from the people’s mandate, not from the backdoor manipulations of the powerful,” he declared.

Looking ahead to the 2026 AMAC council elections, Paul reaffirmed his commitment to safeguarding the sanctity of the ballot. He urged residents to resist deceit, defend the truth, and ensure that governance truly reflects the people’s will.

“This is why AMAC must rise in 2026 and choose wisely. We must prove that democracy still lives at the grassroots, and that no contraption of illegality will silence the will of the people,” he added, praying for peace, progress, and prosperity for AMAC communities.