From: Madu Ezenoha, Enugu
The Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Enugu state chapter, Dr. Ben Nwoye on Friday passed a vote of no confidence on the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC).
Nwoye alleged that members of the Commission, from the chairman to the least ad-hoc staff were either former or current card carrying members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The state chairman of APC made the declaration at the party’s secretariat in a joint press conference with the party’s local government election’s screening committee, headed by the South East zonal secretary of the party, Chief Hyacinth Ngwu.
Nwoye said that despite the party’s lack of confidence in the commission, APC would still participate in the council poll fixed for November 4, 2017.
“All the commissioners in ENSIEC and ad-hoc staff are card carrying members of PDP, and we have not seen them destroy their cards. But we shall challenge them by fielding strong and credible candidates and if we get any evidence of corrupt practices, we shall report them to relevant authorities, be it Police, EFCC, the courts and what have you,” he said.
Nwoye said that unlike the PDP that allegedly did selection of candidates for the local government poll, APC was following due process in line with the tenets of internal party democracy. “They were quick to announce that they will have primaries, but how can that be when you have already selected candidates?” he queried.
Earlier, the Chairman of the APC local government election’s screening committee and secretary of the party in the South East zone, Chief Hyacinth Ngwu said that APC was a party with principles, law and order.
He said that the party will be fielding candidates for the chairmanship position in the 17 local government areas and 260 councillorship positions in the state.
He said that the committee had finished its job of screening the aspirants that will participate in the party’s primaries fixed for September 11.
“Once the party presents the list of its candidates to the Electoral body, the body is required to do nothing but to publish the list within 7 days, with the personal particulars of the candidates.
“The power of disqualification of any candidate lies with the Court in accordance with Section 30 sub section 6 of the Electoral Act 2011, as amended,” he said.
