Tag Archives: LG Polls

Abia Governor Ikpeazu sues for peaceful, free, fair LG polls.

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Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has applauded various political parties in Abia State for their keen interest in the upcoming local government election slated for December 17, 2016.

 

The governor particularly commended the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state for conducting peaceful primaries across the state and urges winners and losers to continue to conduct themselves peacefully.

 

The governor, who also received information on skirmishes witnessed at some locations condemned all acts of violence, regardless of the reason, as the party (PDP) has structures in place for those who feel aggrieved to appeal the outcome of the primaries.

 

A statement signed by Enyinnaya Appolos, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, read: “It is important to note that for many years, the state has not conducted polls to elect officials at the third tier of government and many have waited for the opportunity to put themselves up for election.

 

“Also, as the dominant and ruling party in Abia, the interest of aspirants to vie on the PDP platform is not strange. This was exactly what informed the decision of the governor to approve the conduct of local government elections as well as maintain absolute neutrality in the contests to select PDP candidates.

 

“Deepening democracy at the local government level is very important in ensuring accelerated even development across the state as well as spread democratic participation and dividends.

 

“The governor did not endorse any aspirant, as there was no reason for such. Therefore, any claim to such endorsement is false. The Governor will only endorse dully nominated party candidates presented by the PDP. He is bent on providing a level-playing ground for all participants in the elections.

 

“The governor wishes to assure all Abians that he will do everything in his power to ensure the conduct of a free and fair local government poll on the 17th of December 2016.”

Sokoto LG Polls: SIEC To Recruit 15,000 Ad hoc Staff – Chairman

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The Chairman, Sokoto State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC), Alhaji Usman Abubakar, says the commission will employ 15,000 ad hoc staff for the conduct of March12 Local Government elections in the state.

 

Abubakar made the disclosure on Thursday when the state House of Assembly committee on Public Service Matters visited the commission’s headquarters.

 

He said that the commission is fully equipped and prepared to conduct the elections across the 23 local governments in the state on March 12.

 

”We are ready with all the necessary materials provided by both the government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

 

“We have made all the necessary arrangements at our own level to employ 15, 000 ad hoc staff for the smooth conduct of the elections.

 

“Moreover, our staff and security agencies are fully committed in ensuring free, fair and credible election processes across the local governments in the state,” he said.

 

Abubakar disclosed that the commission had borrowed 4,000 card readers from INEC.

 

He called on people to be law abiding during the polls to avoid the wrath of the law.

 

The Assembly Committee’s Chairman, Alhaji Kabiru Kware (APC- Kware) expressed satisfaction with the level of commitment and preparedness of the commission for the elections.

 

He said the visit of the committee was to ascertain the level of preparedness of the commission for the polls.

 

(NAN)

SDP Opts Out Of Ondo LG Polls

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The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has opted out of the April 23 local government election to be conducted by the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC).

 
The boycotting of the local government election by the SDP made it two major political parties who have decided to boycott the council poll as the rival All Progressives Congress (APC) had earlier decided not to participate in the election.

 
The SDP at its inaugural meeting held in Akure, the state capital Wednesday based its decision on the lack of confidence in the composition of the State ODIEC saying the body as presently constituted cannot conduct free and fair elections.
In the communique signed by the Chairman, Chief Korede Duyile and Secretary, Mr Dele Ogunbameru stated that what the state electoral umpire planned for April 23 is more of selection than election.

 
The party said: “That the SDP noted the preparations being made so far by state government controlled electoral body (ODIEC), and resolved that no responsible political party in the opposition will expect to take part in the election.

 

“That even if any opposition party ventures to take part in the election and win majority of the votes ODIEC will only award few votes to such a party.

 
“That both the state government and ODIEC need to settle all legal encumbrances in regard to the conduct of local government election.”

 

Credit : Today

APC Clears 22 Councils In Rivers LG Polls

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All Progressives Congress, APC, has won in the 22 local government areas that were contested for in the local government elections held on Saturday in Rivers State.

The election was marred by low turnout of voters because of the controversy that trailed the date of the election. Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which had gone to court to challenge the council polls, boycotted same, as it had insisted that the time was wrong and the process not transparent.

Similarly, the faction of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, led by Mr. Adah Williams, had last Thursday, called on workers in the state not to participate in the elections. But on Friday, the NLC faction led by Mrs. Beatrice countered the earlier announcement by Williams, urging workers to be part of the elections.

On the day of the polls, heavy rainfall worsened the situation, as the rain which started around 5:25 a.m., prevented Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, officials from distributing electoral materials early to the polling units. Voters turned out after the rain which stopped at 12noon.

Amidst the controversies and threats, the election was violence free. Voters came out to cast their votes for the candidates of their choice without intimidation.

RSIEC has been commended by some APC chieftains for conducting the local government elections as scheduled despite intimidations. It will be recalled that a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, had earlier ordered parties for the elections to maintain status quo, following a suit by the PDP. It was based on the court directive that PDP boycotted the polls.

Credit: vanguardngr