The Anambra State All Progressives Congress (APC) has made the decision to not participate in the upcoming local government election, set for September 28th, 2024, in the state.
News Echo reports that the upcoming local government election, the first in 11 years, has become a contentious issue in Anambra State, with opposition parties challenging the electoral process and calling for transparency and accountability. The APC’s decision to withdraw from the election reflects wider concerns about the legitimacy of the electoral process in the state.
State Chairman Chief Basil Ejidike made the announcement during a meeting with party officials in Awka, the state capital, citing concerns over the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.
Ejidike stated that participating in the election would be endorsing an illegitimate process, accusing Governor Chukwuma Soludo and the state Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) of failing to ensure a free and credible election. The party has taken legal action against Soludo, ANSIEC, and the state House of Assembly, challenging the legality of the election process.
The decision to boycott the local government election was supported by party members during a stakeholders meeting at the state headquarters, with concerns raised about the lack of transparency in the election process. The party argued that the timeline for the election, as stipulated in the ANSIEC Law 2024, was inconsistent with electoral laws and requested a court injunction to stop the election from proceeding.
Ejidike emphasized the importance of upholding the principles of democracy and announced plans for the party to focus on preparations for the 2025 governorship election in the state. The party also paid tribute to late Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, a prominent governorship aspirant of the party in the state.