The All Progressives Congress in Abia State has lampooned the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC) for disqualifying some candidates from contesting in the forthcoming Local Government elections in the state.
The APC in a statement issued by its caucus public relations officer in Abia North Senatorial Zone ,Hon. Chibuike Jonas, described the action as unconstitutional, stating it was dead on arrival.
Recall that ABSIEC chaired by Prof Mkpa Agu Mapa barred some candidates of the All Progressives Congress from contesting in the election.
In Aba South; Chairmanship ,Deputy Chairmanship and seven councillorship candidates were disqualified While in Bende , the APC Chairmanship and three councillorship contestants wrestling disqualified. In Ohafia the deputy Chairmanship contestant and six councillorship candidates were also disqualified. Also in Umuahia , Obingwa and Isuikwuato , three , one and three councillorship candidates were disqualified respectively.
Irked by the development the APC said that ABSIEC’s action was not only condemnable but unconstitutional, comical , irresponsible, reckless, and appalling.
Hon. Jonas said the move was a blatant abuse of the nation’s constitution which also brings to fore how bereft Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa is in carrying out it’s duty of conducting a free, fair credible election.
The statement read in parts” ABSIEC has once again showed not just Abians but Nigerians in general that they are not ready to conduct a free , fair and sincere election through the disqualification of some candidates of the APC.
As party we need to state categorically to remind Prof. Mkpa and his team that ABSIEC has no right to disqualify any candidate.
“This is stated clearly in the provisions of sections 31(1) and 83 of the Electoral Act, which provided that INEC cannot disqualify or reject a candidate nominated by a political party for an election.
“We implore the Governor Okezie Ikpeazu , Prof. Mkpa and the entire ABSIEC to tow the path of honour by doing the right thing. However; the action is dead on arrival and a clear waste of time as our party will deploy every available legal arsenal within its jurisdiction to ensure that such grievous anomaly is corrected.” It concluded
