By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Anambra State Chapter, Chief Basil Ejidike, says the party will take part in the proposed Local Government Elections in Anambra State if a level playing ground will be provided to all the parties involved.
This is even as he expressed worry over the Anambra State Government’s plan to conduct the elections within 30 days, without providing enough time for voters review and political parties to carry out their activities transparently.
Chief Basil Ejidike who stated this at a press Conference in Awka, Augist 17, argued that the September 28, 2024, slated for the council polls was not enough for political parties to conduct primaries, elect candidates, nominate party agents for the 5,720 polling units, and campaign, among other things.
Ejidike further argued that many would be disenfranchised going by the notice and timetable released by the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) because there would be no time for voters review, to register those who recently clocked 18 years or lost their voter’s card for them to participate in the election.
According to him, the party was also worried over the continuous amendments of the Anambra State Local Government Law and Anambra State Electoral Law, even when the date for the elections had been fixed, thereby amounting to shifting the goal post when the game was on.
He said they would not support the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) dominated legislature to legalize the illegitimate or happenings in the party which he viewed could be why the State Assembly amended some sections of the law that had to do with political party responsibilities, among others.
The party Chairman who recalled that the ANSIEC failed to carry the political parties along in the process, added that ‘if the government and ANSIEC continues the way they are going with this, we may be forced to seek other legitimate options because obviously there is no how we will be part of efforts to disenfranchise Anambrarians. But whatever options we may decide to take later, it will be in consultation with IPAC (Interparty Advisory Council).’
Contributing, the APC State Legal Adviser, Barr Chukwunonso Chinwuba, noted that some of the amended sections of the Anambra State Local Government law and Anambra State Electoral Law contravened the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the National Electoral Act, and also carried out when the process for conduct of the polls had commenced.
