LP Withdraws from Planned May 19 Council Poll in Abia
The Abia State chapter of the Labour Party (LP) has withdrawn from the Abia Local Government election on May 19.
The election will be overseen by the Independent Electoral Commission of Abia State (ABSIEC).
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Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa, the former Commissioner for Education in the state, leads the commission in charge of the state’s local government elections.
In a statement released by its Publicity Secretary, Jerry Njoku, LP asserted that ABSIEC’s leadership intended to manipulate the election using local government employees.
The LP asserted that there was a court order against the election issued by the Abia State High Court and accused the ABSIEC chairman of being desperate to please his employer and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government.
Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa kpa was reportedly prohibited by the Abia State High Court in the Bende Judicial Division from acting as chairman of the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC).
Governor Okezia Ikpeazu appointed Mkpa and other commissioners last year in preparation for local government elections.
However, Representative Kalu Mba Nwoke filed a motion exparte against the commission.
Anaga Kalu Anaga, Nwoke’s attorney, urged the court to assert its jurisdiction by preventing the electoral commission from accessing funds pending the outcome of his case.
“We are also aware of the attempt by the Abia State Local Government Workers Union to illegally conduct the Local Government Workers Staff Union election before the handover date of May 29, 2023, even before the expiration of their tenure, which is statutorily set for September 2023,” LP said in the statement.
“Additionally, I have encountered political advertisements for the local government elections on social media platforms by individuals whom I will consider ‘unfortunate’ for allowing themselves to be misled by paid sycophants and lackeys of the outgoing PDP government of Abia State.
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“For the avoidance of doubt, there is currently a court injunction prohibiting ABSIEC from conducting any council elections, pending the outcome of the motion on notice with suit number HAR/8/2023 before the Abia High Court.”
“Therefore, Labour Party, Abia, following deliberations by members of her State Working Committee (SWC) on May 9, 2023, has decided not to participate in the upcoming local government elections scheduled for May 19, 2023.
“As a law-abiding party, we have a moral obligation to set an example of discipline, principle, responsibility, and accountability for the people of Abia State.”
Remember that an Abia State High Court enjoined the ABSIEC from conducting local government elections on April 5, 2023.
In a case filed against ABSIEC, the court granted the exparte motion.
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