Tension in Anambra over non-conduct of LG poll

“I wish to state categorically that anarchy and bloodshed which is looming in Anambra state is avoidable, and that Governor Willie Obiano and the APGA should be held responsible for any breach of the peace, breakdown of law and order in the state.” – Emeakayi

Obiano playing second fiddle in US while Anambra burns

The tension brewing for days now in Anambra state over non-conduct of Local Government election in the state, just as the tenure of the incumbent elected council officials run out tomorrow, boiled over yesterday when the state Assembly reconvened after the Yuletide holidays.

Because it was a disaster foretold there was noticeable heavy presence of armed policemen within the Assembly complex Monday. 

But the seeming political conundrum was because an Executive bill was being expected from the governor for the elongation of the tenure of councilors and local government chairmen in the state were introduced.

Some members of the ruling APGA had objected the elongation, rather choosing for new members to be sworn in as transition committee members.

It was gathered that big time politicians in the state had penetrated the house members asking them to resist the governor’s request for tenure elongation for the council leaders.

Addressing journalists on in Awka, the State capital, on the matter, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Prince Ken Emeakayi threatened mass action against the state government   should Obiano fail to conduct council poll in the state before January 14.

 Emeakayi said “I wish to state categorically that anarchy and bloodshed which is looming in Anambra state is avoidable, and that Governor Willie Obiano and the APGA should be held responsible for any breach of the peace, breakdown of law and order in the state.

“The Anambra state Government is enjoined by Sections 7(4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to ensure that our (PDP) members shall exercise their franchise as guaranteed by the Constitution to vote and voted for at election to local government councils in the state.

 “Therefore, the willful and deliberate breach and abuse of the provisions of the 1999 constitution and disobedience to law and order is a crime against the Nigeria Federation.

 The PDP Chief, therefore, called on the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase and the Commissioner of Police in the state, Hosea Karma, to be on the watch.

 “We are fully prepared to mobilize our members and supporters to commence protest march and demonstration, starting from

 Similarly, Movement for the Conduct of Local Government Elections in Anambra State has threatened to let hell loose in the state should the governor fail to conduct local government council elections come January 2016.

 The National coordinator of the movement, Comrade Osita Obi, in a chat with our correspondent, accused successive governments in Anambra State of stifling the growth of the local government system, insisting that MCLGEA would give the government a showdown should it also tow the path of its predecessors on the matter.

 He said, “In Anambra, the local government system is stunted by the same people we gave mandate to preside over our affairs as governors. When they get to that position, they cripple the system. I am saying that it is not acceptable. We are ready for action; I want to start mobilizing people to embark on civil disobedience against this continued stifling of the democratic process.

“By January 11, 2016, the tenure of the local government officials will elapse and as we speak, there is nothing on ground to suggest that elections will hold as at when due”.

“A lot of money that are statutorily allocated to these local governments, where are they? Where are the allocation meant for local governments in Anambra State?

 “At the moment, Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission has no chairman. The chairman has retired and there is nothing on ground for his replacement.

“From what I gathered, people are saying that Gov. Obiano wants to appoint caretaker committee chairmen to run the local government councils when the tenure of the incumbent occupants expire and we are sounding a note of warning that he should desist from doing that and go ahead and follow the constitution and organize local government elections,” Obi maintained

Chuks Collins, from Awka

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