1 week ago
8 ARTICLE AD
A coalition of 35 civil society organizations that monitored the November 2 Abia State local government elections has called on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, to intervene and cancel the election, which they alleged was marred by several undemocratic and irregular practices.
The coalition also demanded that Governor Otti should suspend the chairman of the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission, Prof. George Chima “for bringing such a shame to Ndi-Abia.”
In a press conference on Monday in Umuahia, the group, coordinated by its leader, Engr. Simon Diogu, alleged, “The Abia State local government election which was held on November 2, 2024, was rather a jamboree, a disgrace to global best practices for acceptable democratic elections, as it was marred by several undemocratic practices.”
The coalition, therefore, demanded, “His Excellency, Dr Alex Otti, who himself is a product of credible and peaceful election, should as a matter of national interest and saving his image as a man of justice and fairness, direct appropriately for the suspension of Prof. George Chima, the ABSIEC chairman for bringing such a shame to Ndi-Abia and also direct the cancellation of the election results, particularly that of Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, as a way of exonerating himself and his government from this disgrace.
“President Tinubu, who has shown commitment to local government autonomy for rapid grassroots development, should also intervene immediately to ensure that the right democratic and constitutional procedures are followed in electing local government chairmen, instead of the selection strategy used in Abia.
“The National Assembly should expedite action in amending the relevant sections of our constitution to ensure that the Independent National Electoral Commission takes over the conduct of local government election in Nigeria.”
The coalition described Isialangwa South LGA as “the worst hit in the election malpractices,” stating, “Based on the above, as a coalition of civil society organizations that observed the November 2, 2024, local government area council elections in Abia State, we wish to state our observation and position as thus:
“The Abia State local government election of November 2, 2024, did not take place as scheduled in the entire state, except in some stage-managed polling units for media show.
“The said exercise was marred by the following irregularities and violations of democratic principles like non-availability of election materials and personnel for the elections, intimidation and harassment of innocent voters by the security outfits, and allotment of votes to political parties, even to those that did participate in the election.”
The coalition added that the CSOs are committed to strengthening the democratic values and constitutional rights of citizens, they are ready to mobilize their teaming members across Abia State and beyond for a peaceful protest and all other democratic means to ensure that the laws of the land are not only protected but obeyed, adding that it would not hesitate to institute a legal action against ABSIEC, the state government and the Zenith Labour Party.
