By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Anambra State Chapter, Chief Basil Ejidike says on Saturday, 17th August 2024 that the party will take part in the proposed Local Government election in Anambra State if a level playing ground will be provided to all the parties involved in the election, even as he expressed worry over the Anambra State government plan to conduct Local Government election 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 argued that September 28, 2024 slated for the Council poll was not enough for political parties to conduct primaries, elect candidates, nominate party agents for 5720 polling units, campaign, among others.
Ejidike further argued that many would disfranchised going by the notice and timetable released by the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) because 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 Anambra State Local Government law and Anambra State electoral law even when the date for the election had been fixed, thereby amounting to shifting the goal post when the game was on.
He said they would not support the ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) dominated legislature to legalise the illegitimate or happenings in the party which he viewed could be why the State Assembly amended some sections of the law that has 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 nowhere we will be part of efforts to diffranchise 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 contravenes with the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria and national electoral act, and also carried out when the process for conduct of the poll has commenced.