Awka, Anambra State – The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State has announced its withdrawal from the upcoming local government elections, slated for September 28, 2024, citing concerns over alleged irregularities in the election process. The party made the announcement on Saturday and confirmed that it would be taking legal action to challenge the elections in court.
According to the APC, the decision to boycott the elections followed violations of due process, which they believe have compromised the credibility of the electoral process. Party leaders argued that participating in the election would be equivalent to “legalising illegality,” claiming that the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) did not follow the required legal procedures as outlined in the Electoral Act 2022 when setting up the election.
During a stakeholders’ meeting held at the APC state headquarters in Awka, the motion to withdraw from the elections was moved by Donatus Emecheta and seconded by Ikunwata Obadike. The meeting gathered key party members who unanimously agreed to boycott the polls.
State APC Chairman, Chief Basil Ejidike, addressed the meeting, stating that ANSIEC and the state government, under Governor Chukwuma Soludo, were unprepared to conduct the election in a transparent manner. Ejidike expressed concerns over the lack of proper campaign preparations, saying, “How can a great party like APC be involved in an election where political parties are not given enough time to conduct primaries to elect their candidates, no campaign rallies, no selling of forms in accordance with the Electoral Act?”
He further accused Governor Soludo of preemptively setting up a tribunal for political parties intending to contest the election results, suggesting this was evidence of a predetermined outcome.
The party’s legal adviser, Chukwunoso Chinweuba, disclosed that the APC had already filed a lawsuit at the Anambra State High Court, challenging the entire local government election process. He highlighted discrepancies between the ANSIEC Law 2024 and the Electoral Act 2022, noting that ANSIEC’s 30-day election notice was inconsistent with the Electoral Act’s requirement of a 150-day notice period.
The meeting also included a tribute to the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented Anambra South Senatorial District.
This election marks a significant moment for Anambra State, where local government elections have not been held since 2014. In the intervening years, the state’s 21 local governments have been managed by caretaker chairmen appointed by the governor. The APC’s withdrawal, alongside legal challenges from other opposition parties like the PDP and Labour Party, adds another layer of uncertainty to the long-awaited election.
The APC has confirmed that it will soon begin a tour of the 21 local government areas to prepare for the 2025 governorship election.
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