CurrentReport Blog The Anambra State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) has announced its decision to withdraw from the upcoming Local Government Area election scheduled for September 28. The party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Theo Egbe, made this declaration on Thursday in Awka, revealing that the party intends to challenge the election process in court due to alleged violations of electoral guidelines.
Egbe emphasized that the Labour Party will not participate in an election marred by irregularities and the failure to adhere to the provisions of the Electoral Act. He called for the state’s election template to align with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines to ensure a fair and transparent process.
“Labour Party will not play alongside the identified irregularities, which is the inability to follow provisions of the Electoral Act when conducting council polls. The state’s template for the proposed election should be in line with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines for conducting elections,” Egbe stated.
The party expressed concern over specific areas in the amended Electoral Act, which govern the conduct and management of political parties, as well as dispute resolution and vote collation. These issues, according to Egbe, are significant reasons for the party’s decision to boycott the election.
Egbe urged the Anambra State government to reschedule the election to meet INEC standards, which would ensure a level playing field for all candidates.
In addition, the LP spokesperson claimed that the party’s state office was sealed on August 27 without prior notice or any indication of wrongdoing. He alleged that the party offices located at the Udoka Housing Estate in Awka were sealed off by individuals suspected to be agents of the state government. Despite this, he called on party members and supporters to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands.
In response to these allegations, Dr. Alex Obiogbolu, the Special Adviser to Governor Charles Soludo on Political Matters, denied any involvement of the state government in the sealing of the LP offices. Obiogbolu clarified that the issue was a dispute between the state housing corporation and the landlord of the property, and it had nothing to do with the government.
He urged the Labour Party to address its internal challenges rather than blaming the state government for its difficulties.
