The Labour Party in Anambra State on Saturday called on Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo to direct the State Independent Electoral Commission to postpone the upcoming local government election scheduled for September 28, 2024.
The party describes the planned election as a “sham” and demands a lawful and legal election in the near future, according to Nigerian Tribune.
During a press conference in Awka, the party’s state publicity secretary, Engr Theo Egbe, stated that they did not sell forms or conduct primary elections to nominate candidates.
He emphasized that the scheduled election is unacceptable and urged the governor to intervene.
The party’s state secretary, Barr Okoli Akirika, also spoke out, highlighting the anomalies in the published list of candidates.
He noted that the individuals listed as Labour Party candidates are not members of the party and were not sponsored by them. Akirika drew parallels with previous instances of “unknown bishops” and “unknown gunmen,” now followed by “unknown candidates” through ANSIEC’s actions.
The Labour Party maintains that it is not participating in the election and demands a legitimate and transparent process.
He said: “They have conducted the elections in their rooms and waiting to announce the results.”
The state secretary of the party, Barr Okoli Akirika who also spoke to journalists said: “During the 2023 election we heard of unknown bishops. We have also been hearing of unknown gunmen, and today through ANSIEC, we are hearing of unknown candidates.
“For purposes of clarity, the person published as candidates of Labour Party are not our members, they were not sponsored by us, and we had already told you people that we are not part of the election, Akirika added.
