… We Lack Confidence In AKISIEC – APC
… Put Your Acts Together And Get Ready For Political Action – PDP
The Akwa Ibom State Chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has conceded their chance to take part in the forthcoming local Government elections to the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the state following it called the decision of the Executive Committee.
A statement signed by its factional State Publicity Secretary, Barrister Edet Eyo-Bassey, said “APC has taken a decision not to partake in the Local Government Election scheduled for November 11, 2017.”
“The decision of the party is predicated on the absolute lack of trust and confidence in the capacity of the state electoral umpire, Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) to conduct a free, fair and credible Local Government Election. Our resolve not to participate in the election is sequel to the antecedent of AKISIEC and the unpalatable experience of the opposition political parties in two previous local government elections (2007 and 2012) superintended over by AKISIEC under the very same Chief Electoral Commissioner whom we reasonably believe lacks the integrity, fair-mindedness and probity to conduct local government election in the state,” the statement stated.
Explaining further, the statement said “After due and extensive consultation with leaders and stakeholders of the party, APC has chosen to challenge the legality, actions and inactions of AKISIEC vis-à-vis its capacity to conduct a fair, credible and acceptable local government election. Accordingly, we have instructed our team of lawyers to institute legal action in a competent court of law against AKISIEC.”
In a swift reaction to the development, the State Chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) through its spokesperson, Barrister Ini Ememobong, described the attitude of the APC as “Lack of preparation will always manifest.”
The PDP spokesperson faulted the APC claims by saying “Additionally, let us call to mind the fact that the same party was at the fore of the clamour for local government elections but now that elections have been announced they want to pull out. Isn’t this the highest level of mischief; in fact greater mischief had none like APC- Akwa Ibom. They are complaining about the chairman and members of AKISIEC? Has AKISIEC not declared an opposition party winner of a local government election in INI Local Government Area before? Or do they want an electoral commission that will just declare an election without a party winning? Truth is, whoever fails to prepare surely prepares to fail. We are aware that the APC is trying to avoid the crisis due to erupt from their usually undemocratic nomination process like it happened in Lagos. That is not the best way to avoid it, brave it up and get it done.”
“Come to think of it how can you complain of a process that you do not have any concrete evidence to fault? In the circumstance, the APC ought to congratulate the PDP that went into the 2015 elections even when the umpire was manifestly unprepared. All the Commission has done was to give the statutory notice required by law. APC must understand that propaganda has never won any election. With their advertised numerical strength and the claim of the non-existence of the PDP, should they not be glad to undertake a walk over at the local government polls using that as a prelude to their much mouthed take over in 2019. Or are they afraid of the resurgence of the PDP especially with the recent victory in Osun state, even with a sitting APC governor? Well rationally thinking, their fears may be normal and understandable, but to hide that fear under another flimsy excuse is most deceitful and deserves condemnation,” he said.
Barrister Ememobong further advised the APC “to put their acts together and get ready for political action.”