Abia LG Polls: APC Withdraws From Exercise

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The All Progressive Congress, APC, Abia State Chapter, has announced its withdrawal from the November 2, 2024 Local Council Polls in the State.

This is coming at a time its main rival, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,  just reaffirmed its participation in the election being midwifed by the Labour Party, LP-led Abia State Government.

The Source reports that the Abia state Independent Electoral Commission, ABSIEC, penultimate week, rolled out the time table for the polls. Political parties were given between September 24 and October 2,2024 to organize their Primaries.

The PDP, after its stakeholders meeting at its Umuahia headquarters last week, formally informed that it is ready to fully participate in the exercise.

The meeting presided over by its Caretaker Committee Chairman, Dr Alwell Asiforo Okere, also announced the fees for its expression of interest and nomination forms .

Those interested in the Chairmanship race are to pay N200,000,while Councilorship aspirants are to pay the sum of N25,000 .

Women aspirants are to pay half of the official fees for both positions .

Only on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, Jude Ndukwe, Head of Abia PDP Media team cautioned party followers, particularly aspirants to be wary of orchestrated fake campaign to dissuade members from the polls.

According to him, the news making the rounds in some quarters to the effect that the PDP has withdrawn from the scheduled local Government election is not only false, but a calculated attempt to undermine the party .

He reiterated PDP’s preeminent position in the political equation of Abia, despite not being in control of the Executive arm of Government .

Conversely however ,the APC Publicity Secretary, Engr Sterling Chinwe Uruakpa, on Wednesday October 2, cited lack of official communication and observance of extant rules governing the polls by the ABSIEC as major reasons for its decision to boycott the exercise.

According to him, the decision was reached on Tuesday October 1, at a joint meeting between the state Working Committee and APC Local Government Chairmen at its  State Secretariat Umuahia

The APC spokesperson noted that as the ruling party at the centre and the biggest in the land, it is completely averse to relying on social media to learn about a serious issue as the scheduled council election.

He emphasized the imperativeness of ABSIEC in exploring proper channels in communicating to parties ,as well as in information dissemination.

Uruakpa stated that as at the time the party concluded to boycott the election, the electoral umpire had not officially notified it of the election and its date .

“The All Progressive Congress is the ruling party in Nigeria and the biggest party in Africa and will not tolerate any form of contempt and disrespect from ABSIEC .

“It (ABSIEC) must follow due process in the conduct of its activities ,ensure inclusiveness and provide a level playing field for all the parties in order to gain the confidence and trust of the political parties and the people” the APC Spokesman noted.

Signs that the APC may toe its present line of action, manifested  on Saturday September 21, 2024, following its boycott of an interactive session between ABSIEC and the leadership  Office the  political parties.