The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State has announced its withdrawal from the upcoming local government elections scheduled for September 28, 2024. The party cited concerns over alleged irregularities and procedural violations as the primary reasons for their decision.
In a statement released on Saturday, the APC revealed plans to take legal action against the election process, claiming that the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) and the state governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, have failed to adhere to the guidelines stipulated by the Electoral Act 2022. The party contends that participating in the election would essentially “legalize illegality.”
The decision to boycott the election was made during a stakeholders’ meeting at the APC state headquarters in Awka. The motion to withdraw was proposed by Donatus Emecheta and seconded by Ikunwata Obadike.
Chief Basil Ejidike, the State Chairman of the APC, criticized the preparation for the election, stating that the party was not provided adequate time to conduct primaries, hold campaign rallies, or sell nomination forms as required by law. Ejidike also accused Governor Soludo of preemptively setting up a tribunal at the Anambra State High Court in Awka to address election disputes, suggesting a lack of transparency in the process.
“We are already in court challenging the process because the APC, as the major opposition party in Anambra State, must lead by example,” Ejidike said. He also praised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party for joining in the legal challenge against the election’s irregularities.
APC Legal Adviser Chukwunoso Chinweuba emphasized that the party’s legal case argues the election process is compromised. He pointed out discrepancies between the 30-day notice period mandated by the ANSIEC Law 2024 and the 150-day notice required by Section 103(3) of the Electoral Act 2022.
During the meeting, the APC held a minute’s silence in memory of the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented Anambra South Senatorial District.
It is notable that Anambra State has not held local government elections for over a decade, with the last elections occurring in 2014. Since then, the state’s 21 local government areas have been managed by caretaker transition committee chairmen appointed every three months by the governor.
The APC’s withdrawal and subsequent legal action signal a contentious period ahead as Anambra State approaches its local government elections.
