The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has called for an urgent investigation into claims by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, about the strategy allegedly adopted by the G5 governors during the 2023 presidential election.
Wike had, during an appearance on TVC’s Journalists’ Hangout on September 21, disclosed that the G5 governors deliberately allowed Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi to win in some South-South states in a bid to prevent the then Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar, from benefiting from the region’s traditional support for the party.
He specifically mentioned Edo and Cross River, while saying Rivers State was treated differently because of the political implications of an Obi victory there.
Reacting in a statement issued on Thursday, September 24, CHRICED Executive Director, Comrade Dr Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, said the disclosure raised serious questions about electoral integrity, voter sovereignty and the role of political actors in the 2023 election.
The organisation said if Wike’s account was accurate, it could have implications for the credibility of the electoral process and the principle that electoral outcomes should reflect the free choice of voters.
CHRICED said the comments should not be dismissed as political banter, arguing that they required clarification from relevant institutions.
It called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), National Assembly, Attorney-General of the Federation and relevant security and oversight agencies to examine the claims and establish whether any actions by state officials compromised the 2023 presidential election.
The group also urged Wike and the other former G5 governors, Seyi Makinde, Samuel Ortom, Okezie Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, to clarify the nature, extent and mechanisms of the strategy he described.
CHRICED further demanded the disclosure of any communications, directives or actions by political actors that may have influenced electoral outcomes, as well as stronger safeguards against political interference ahead of the 2027 elections.
It urged INEC to reassure Nigerians about measures protecting the independence of election officials and preventing political interference in voting, counting, collation, transmission and declaration of results.
The organisation also called for intensified voter education by INEC, civil society organisations and the media ahead of 2027, particularly on the processes for voting, counting, collation and declaration of results.
Wike has since denied allegations that his comments amounted to rigging or manipulation of the 2023 presidential election in favour of President Bola Tinubu, describing such claims as a “baseless narrative” driven mainly by social media.
CHRICED maintained that the controversy should be used as an opportunity to strengthen electoral safeguards and rebuild public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
The organisation stressed that political competition should not undermine the right of citizens to freely determine electoral outcomes, saying the credibility of the 2027 elections would depend on transparent procedures, verifiable results and an electoral process protected from undue political influence.
