By Jude Michael
Political parties in Anambra State, under the umbrella of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), have expressed their readiness to participate in the forthcoming local government elections, provided the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) extends the time and ensures an equal playing ground for all parties.
The parties which conveyed their readiness during a meeting with ANSIEC at its headquarters in Awka on Tuesday and stated their readiness to be part of the elections, however requested additional time to prepare, even as they demanded for an equal playing ground and a review of voter registration for the upcoming elections.
However, some parties questioned the legality of the law enacted by the Anambra State House of Assembly regarding the local government council elections.
Speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of IPAC, Uchenna Ugwoji, requested the ANSIEC Chairman to grant more time for preparation. Ugwoji emphasized that IPAC and citizens of the state were ready for the local government council elections as they had been advocating for them.
Chief Basil Ejidike, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, said ANSIEC could not operate without the involvement of political parties and urged ANSIEC to partner with and listen to the parties regarding the conduct of the LGA elections. Ejidike commended ANSIEC for organizing the meeting, noting that it was better late than never.
He added that APC was ready for the elections but needed time to prepare, including notifying members, screening candidates, and conducting primaries before presenting candidates for the elections.
‘There is no way APC can be part of this illegality. We will not legalize illegality. There is no election without a review of voter registration. It has been almost two years since the last elections, and those who are of voting age now but were not last time should be allowed to vote. APC is ready to support ANSIEC but only on the basis of law,’ he maintained.
In response, ANSIEC Chairman, Mrs Genevieve Osakwe, said the agency visited all political party offices, with only two offices being inaccessible due to being locked. She emphasized that ANSIEC could not perform its duties without the cooperation of political parties and promised to work in partnership with them. She assured IPAC that their requests would be reviewed and the elections would be conducted within the bounds of the law.
‘I have heard all you said. We will look into these matters and get back to you very soon,’ she assured.
Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, Barr. Okorie Akirika of the Labour Party (LP) criticized the state assembly’s law, arguing that Section 228 of the 1999 Constitution clearly defined who made laws regarding party affairs related to internal democracy. He cited the Second Schedule, Part 2, Item 11, which states that ‘’The National Assembly shall legislate on matters concerning the procedure for LGA elections. The Supreme Court, in a case between the Attorney General of Abia State and the Attorney General of the Federation, held that issuing notice is fundamental to conducting local government elections and that only laws made by the National Assembly can regulate the issuance of notices’’.
Akrika asserted that the Anambra State House of Assembly’s purported law for LGA elections was grossly incompetent and could not stand. He also noted that Section 28 of the Electoral Act, which, he said, should regulate the issuance of notices and their duration, was not followed by ANSIEC.
‘I am pleased that after the fruitful interaction between ANSIEC and IPAC, the Chairman agreed to consult with the governor. I urge her to provide the Governor with the truth. Ndi Anambra are ready for the elections which must be conducted according to the requirements of the law. The state assembly cannot make laws that conflict with federal legislation. LP cannot engage in illegality,’ he insisted.
Speaking to journalists, the state Chairman of a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Barr. Ifeatu Obi-Okoye, advised those dissatisfied with the process under ANSIEC to approach the court.
With about 45 years of practice at the bar, he noted that arguing law on the streets with law books was unethical. He stated that APGA did not find the election notice too short and emphasized that parties should have mechanisms to respond to emergencies.
‘What I hear about my colleagues’ methods for producing candidates—no one fixes how to choose your candidates. It is not necessary to have primaries for every election. APGA has a constitution that provides for affirmation and consensus, which we are using to meet the deadline. APC, PDP, LP, and any other party have the right not to participate; that is their decision. IPAC has confirmed that they are ready for the elections,’ he said.
