PDP Calls Abia Council Poll Huge Joke As Otti Swears-in Elected Officials

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

■Finally PDP holds State Congress as Amah emerges new Chairman

The Peoples Democratic Party PDP,  Abia State Chapter, has described the Local Council Polls held last Saturday in the State as a huge charade.

This is even as Governor Alex Otti, on Monday November 4, swore-in the newly elected Council officials.

The Source reports that the ABSIEC on Saturday November 2, 2024 conducted election in the 17 Local Government Councils of the state in line with the Supreme Court judgment on Local Council autonomy in the country .

The election was, however, boycotted by the All Progressive Congress, APC, which cited lack of confidence in the electoral process as a major reason.

However ,the PDP, Labour Party,  LP, Zenith Labour Party, ZLP, and a host of others took part in the election which Governor Otti, and ABSIEC  described as free and fair.

The Prof George Chima-led ABSIC declared the ZLP winners in 15, out of the  17 local Councils of the state, while the Young Progressive Party YPP, won two Councils.

But speaking on the conduct of the polls, immediate past Commissioner for Trade ,Commerce and Industry under Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s administration, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, expressed regret and disappointment in the whole exercise.

Chief Kalu who spoke at an interactive session with the media during the Party’s State Congress in Umuahia ,noted that the  polls  were marred by fraud and out right manipulations by the Governor- Otti backed ZLP.

“The so called election was nothing, but a joke. It is unfortunate that what should have been a Democratic exercise turned out to be a travesty, failing to meet even basic standards of fairness and transparency,” Kalu stated

Further speaking Chief Kalu ,who was also former Commissioner for information, lamented that even before the election, the ABSIEC, in conjunction with the State Government, had written the result, allocating bogus figures that even made nonsense of the figures that were posted during the last gubernatorial election in the State.

“Local elections typically see lower participation, not a sudden surge in turnout that surpasses even the Governorship election figures.

“The outcome of this election lacks credibility”,  he noted

At the swearing-in ceremony, the Governor urged the Local Government officials to key into the State Government’s mantra of “Abia first” in their adminstration of the Local Governments.

He emphasised the need for the Council leaders to work towards the economic transformation of the grassroots as is being done at the State level

“Our people should be able to see the impact of your leadership in the next six months through measurable improvements in the living conditions of the people, especially, women, youth, and the vulnerable in the various localities.

“Your task is to solve the basic problems that bedevil our people in the various communities for ages now.

“Access to water, basic health, and education, effective maintenance of Trunk C roads, and quick response to security threats in your communities should rank high in your order of priorities”, Governor Otti noted.

The elected Council Officials had earlier, on Sunday, November 3, been presented with their Certificate of Return by the ABSIEC .

Meanwhile, the PDP in the State, after several postponements occasioned by restraining Court orders, finally held its Congress on Sunday, with erstwhile Vice Chairman/Acting Publicity Secretary Abraham Amah emerging as State Chairman.

In his acceptance speech, Comrade Amah promised to work in concert with all relevant stakeholders to return the party back to winning ways.

He also assured that efforts will be made to reconcile and return genuinely aggrieved members who have left the PDP .

While appreciating the delegates for the confidence reposed in him, the State PDP Chairman-elect, stated that his adminstration will be guided by the core values and ideals of  the founding fathers of the PDP.

“As we embark on this journey together, I promise to uphold the values and ideals of our founding fathers, ensuring that we engage in robust and constructive dialogue with all stakeholders.

“It is through unity and collaboration that we will strengthen our party and advance the cause of the PDP

“I would like to take a moment to salute all our stakeholders whose commitment has been invaluable in our efforts to rebuild and strengthen our party.

“To my fellow aspirants who contested alongside me, I salute your courage, and commitment to rebranding Abia PDP. Your sacrifices and efforts in rebuilding our party shall not be in vain and I commend the spirit of sportsmanship that you all show-cased.

“I invite you all to join me in the daunting, yet rewarding task of returning the Abia PDP to power in our great State”, Amah stated.