By Tony Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced its withdrawal from participating in the forthcoming local government election scheduled for September 28th, 2024.
The party has also instituted a legal action against the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) and the Anambra State House of Assembly, seeking to nullify the election if ANSIEC proceeds with the exercise.
The decision was made during the party’s stakeholders meeting held at the state headquarters in Awka on Saturday.
The motion to withdraw from the election was moved by Hon. Donatus Emecheta and seconded by Hon. Ikunwata Charles Obadike.
The APC argued that the electoral process has been marred by irregularities, citing Section 23(1) of the ANSIEC Law 2024, which stipulates a 30-day notice period for the election, as inconsistent with Section 103(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, which provides for a 150-day notice period.
The party’s chairman, Chief Basil Ejidike, stated that participating in the election would amount to “legalizing illegality” and that the APC would not be involved due to the lack of transparency and fairness in the process.
He also criticized the Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo, for not being prepared to conduct a free, fair, and credible election.
The APC has joined other political parties, including the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party, in challenging the irregularities in court.
The party has also announced plans to commence a tour across the 21 local government areas in preparation for the 2025 governorship election.
A minute of silence was observed during the meeting in honour of the late Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah.
