The Anambra State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) has announced its decision to boycott the upcoming Local Government Area elections scheduled for 28th September.
The party’s stance stems from alleged violations of electoral guidelines, which it intends to challenge in court.
Speaking on Thursday in Awka, the Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party in the state, Mr Theo Egbe, outlined the party’s reasons for withdrawing from the election, citing a failure by the organisers to adhere to the provisions of the Electoral Act.
Egbe highlighted that the Labour Party could not participate in an electoral process tainted by what he described as blatant irregularities, including the failure to comply with the rules and regulations established by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The state’s template for the proposed election should be in line with the INEC guidelines for conducting elections,” he asserted, emphasising the need for a transparent and fair process that aligns with national standards.
Among the key concerns raised by the Labour Party are issues within the amended Electoral Act that pertain to the conduct and management of political parties, resolution of party disputes, and the collation of election results.
According to Egbe, these problematic areas compromise the integrity of the election, prompting the party to take a stand by refusing to participate.
He further urged the state government to reschedule the election to ensure it meets INEC standards, thereby providing a level playing field for all contestants.
Adding to the party’s grievances, Egbe revealed that the Labour Party’s state office was sealed on 27th August without any prior notice or explanation of the alleged offence committed by the party.
He claimed that the party offices, located at the Udoka Housing Estate in Awka, were shut down by individuals suspected to be agents of the state government.
This move, according to Egbe, was part of a broader effort to intimidate the party and its supporters ahead of the election.
Despite these challenges, Egbe called on Labour Party members, supporters, sympathisers, and the broader Anambra community to remain calm and not resort to taking the law into their own hands.
He stressed the importance of pursuing legal avenues to address the grievances rather than engaging in actions that could escalate tensions.
In response to these allegations, Dr Alex Obiogbolu, the Special Adviser to Governor Charles Soludo on Political Matters, refuted the Labour Party’s claims regarding the sealing of their offices.
Dr Obiogbolu clarified that the issue was a dispute between the state housing corporation and the landlord of the building where the Labour Party’s offices are located, and had no direct involvement from the state government.
He advised the Labour Party to direct its concerns appropriately and refrain from blaming the state government for unrelated issues.
Obiogbolu’s rebuttal aimed to distance the state administration from the accusations, suggesting that the Labour Party’s grievances were misplaced and should be resolved through proper legal channels rather than public accusations.
He reiterated that the state government was committed to ensuring a fair electoral process and that any disputes arising from property issues were purely administrative matters outside the purview of political intervention.
The Labour Party’s decision to boycott the local government elections underscores the growing tensions and distrust between political parties and electoral authorities in the state.
This move by the Labour Party could potentially influence the dynamics of the elections, as the absence of a significant opposition party may alter the competitive landscape.
It also raises questions about the broader electoral environment in Anambra State and the readiness of the authorities to conduct free, fair, and credible elections.
As the Labour Party prepares to challenge the electoral process in court, the outcome of this legal battle could have significant implications for the conduct of future elections in Anambra State.
This situation highlights the ongoing struggles within Nigeria’s political system, where allegations of electoral malpractice and disputes over the management of election processes frequently dominate the political discourse.
The Labour Party’s actions serve as a reminder of the importance of adhering to established electoral guidelines to maintain the integrity and credibility of the democratic process.
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