Former Rivers State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tonye Cole, has faulted the conduct of the just-concluded local government elections in the state.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Tuesday, Cole said the exercise could have been handled more transparently and inclusively.

“I don’t agree with the way the elections were done,” he said. “I feel that we could have done it differently. It could have been done better, with a more holistic approach of engaging people and ensuring they understand that this process affects their ultimate well-being.”

Cole warned that undermining democratic processes could pose dangers for the future.

Despite his reservations, he noted that the elections were already concluded and urged stakeholders to look forward. “It is done; all we have to do is move on to the next one,” he stated.

In the polls, the APC, reportedly backed by former governor Nyesom Wike, won 20 chairmanship positions, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured three.