Victor EzejaThe All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Enugu State chapter has rejected results of the last week’s local council elections in the state, accusing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of massively rigging the exercise to its favour.
Results of the elections as announced by the Chairman of Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), Dr. Mike Ajogu (SAN) indicated that PDP won all the contested positions across the 17 local government areas in the state (17 chairmanship seats and 260 ward councilorship positions).
APGA made its position about the election outcome known through a statement signed by the state party chairman, Ndubuisi Enechionyia and secretary, Hon. Dickson which was issued after its extraordinary meeting held on Saturday, 26th February 2022.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe party accused the Ajogwu-led ENSIEC of reneging in its promise of a fair process, and “betrayed the mandate imposed on them,” by conniving with authorities in the state to manipulate the process in favour of PDP.
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It also alleged that there were cases of shortage or non-availability of ENSIEC staff and electoral materials in various polling centres, coupled with intimidation and harassment and assault of people across the state.
APGA alleged that the results declared by ENSIEC was written before the election and called on the state electoral body to withdraw the certificates of return already issued to PDP candidates in the election.
The statement reads: “The leadership of APGA Enugu State commends the good people of Enugu State for coming out to vote for the candidates of APGA in the various Local Government Areas in the state but are disappointed by non- or short availability of ENSIEC staff and Electoral materials for various venues used for the election.
“The party decries the activities and actions of the Mr Ajogwu led Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission which reneged on their statutory oaths and betrayed the mandate imposed on them.
“The party condemns in totality the gravity of electoral harassment, intimidation, violence, assault and malpractices displayed by the ruling party in the state in collaboration with the Electoral Commission and its officers wherein lives and properties were lost.
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“The party further detests and rejects the pre-written Electoral results declared by ENSIEC even in many glaring areas where no Elections were conducted, and calls on ENSIEC to immediately withdraw the illegal certificates of return issued to the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party.”
The party urged its members and supporters to remain calm, disclosing that it has commenced a process to invalidate the outcome of the exercise.
“The party calls on our teeming supporters to remain calm and resolute as we commence the process of nullification of the outcome of the irresponsible conduct of a clearly biased electoral body, which is against the will of the people. It will not stand.
“Once again, the state leadership of APGA commends our candidates and supporters for embarking on the journey of re-writing the political history of Enugu State. We will do what is legally necessary to reverse this blatant abuse of our sensibilities.
“Our State has never had it so bad. This is the final dance of a failed PDP government and the disgraceful Mr. Ajogwu led electoral body, as we have no doubt that Enugu will be rescued from the hands of these ravenous lions come 2023 especially as the new Electoral Act 2022 has been signed into law by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” APGA stated.
Meanwhile, the State Government has announced that swearing-in ceremony of the 17 Council Chairmen, their Deputies and ward councilors elected during the polls will hold on Thursday, March 3, 2022.
According to a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, the ceremony will take place at Michael Okpara Square, Independence Layout, Enugu, at 10 am.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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