LG Poll: PDP clinches all seats in Enugu as APC kicks

THE Enugu State local government elections into the Chairmanship
and Councillorship seats have been concluded with the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) on the verge of sweeping the poll in 17
Council areas.

Our reporter observed that there was large turnout of voters in
many polling centres visited even as there were reports of late
arrival of electoral materials in few areas particularly in
perceived stronghold of the All Progressives Congress (APC)

Speaking after casting his vote at his country home, Orba, in
Udenu Local of the State, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, described the
election as free and fair, commending the people of the state for
coming out en-masse to perform their civic responsibility.

“I am satisfied with the Enugu State Independent Electoral
Commission for carrying out its work effectively. I also commend
the people of Enugu State for coming out to vote for candidates of
their choice”, he added.

But, the Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON) Osita
Okechukwu, berated the State Electoral body for non- provision of
electoral materials to his Eke Ward, saying that it contradicted
the call for devolution of power to states.

“It is a paradox and contradiction that you talk of state police
when you cannot conduct a credible local government election”

Reports also indicated that there were skirmishes in Oji-River
and Awgu Local Government Councils over mixed reactions to late
arrival of electoral materials to the areas.

Meanwhile, the Police in Enugu authority in Enugu has assured
that the incident of minor explosion at a spare parts workshop at
the entrance in the morning of Saturday leading to a polling
station at coal camp axis of Enugu state did not interfere with the
voting activities at the polling Centre as the process is still on
course there.

It could be recalled that there was a reported incident of an
explosion in the morning of the fateful day at the Coal Camp axis
which is an enclave of artisans.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amarizu, who
confirmed the story said no life was lost as Operatives of the
Explosive Ordinance Department of the State Police command were on
hand to conduct analysis with a view to finding out the possible
cause of the explosion at the workshop and its nature and as well
as possible circumstance amongst others

A coalition of civil society organizations has hailed the State
Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) over the conduct of the
local government elections.

Leader of the group, Comrade Kalu Victor, alongside leaders of
other civil society groups, said the team had so far observed that
“the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission is resolute,
transparent and committed to conducting a free and fair local
government in the State.

“The actions and conducts of ENSIEC, to the best of our
knowledge, are so far guided by the State Electoral Laws.

“We observed that for the first time in the history of the
State, strong and formidable opposition parties are seriously
campaigning and mobilizing to challenge the ruling party in Enugu
State in the Local Government polls, this has made the election
very interesting.

“We noted that the various candidates emerged through
transparent internal party democratic process in their various
parties.”

“We commend His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Enugu
State for considering it necessary to conduct this very important
Local Government Election in the State not minding the economic
challenges which other states are using as an excuse”, the group
added.

As at the time of going to press, the Chairman of ENSIEC, Mike
Ajogwu (SAN) was yet to formally declare the result of the
election.

Culled: nigeriantribune

THE Enugu State local government elections into the Chairmanship
and Councillorship seats have been concluded with the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) on the verge of sweeping the poll in 17
Council areas.

Our reporter observed that there was large turnout of voters in
many polling centres visited even as there were reports of late
arrival of electoral materials in few areas particularly in
perceived stronghold of the All Progressives Congress (APC)

Speaking after casting his vote at his country home, Orba, in
Udenu Local of the State, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, described the
election as free and fair, commending the people of the state for
coming out en-masse to perform their civic responsibility.

“I am satisfied with the Enugu State Independent Electoral
Commission for carrying out its work effectively. I also commend
the people of Enugu State for coming out to vote for candidates of
their choice”, he added.

But, the Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON) Osita
Okechukwu, berated the State Electoral body for non- provision of
electoral materials to his Eke Ward, saying that it contradicted
the call for devolution of power to states.

“It is a paradox and contradiction that you talk of state police
when you cannot conduct a credible local government election”

Reports also indicated that there were skirmishes in Oji-River
and Awgu Local Government Councils over mixed reactions to late
arrival of electoral materials to the areas.

Meanwhile, the Police in Enugu authority in Enugu has assured
that the incident of minor explosion at a spare parts workshop at
the entrance in the morning of Saturday leading to a polling
station at coal camp axis of Enugu state did not interfere with the
voting activities at the polling Centre as the process is still on
course there.

It could be recalled that there was a reported incident of an
explosion in the morning of the fateful day at the Coal Camp axis
which is an enclave of artisans.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amarizu, who
confirmed the story said no life was lost as Operatives of the
Explosive Ordinance Department of the State Police command were on
hand to conduct analysis with a view to finding out the possible
cause of the explosion at the workshop and its nature and as well
as possible circumstance amongst others

A coalition of civil society organizations has hailed the State
Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) over the conduct of the
local government elections.

Leader of the group, Comrade Kalu Victor, alongside leaders of
other civil society groups, said the team had so far observed that
“the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission is resolute,
transparent and committed to conducting a free and fair local
government in the State.

“The actions and conducts of ENSIEC, to the best of our
knowledge, are so far guided by the State Electoral Laws.

“We observed that for the first time in the history of the
State, strong and formidable opposition parties are seriously
campaigning and mobilizing to challenge the ruling party in Enugu
State in the Local Government polls, this has made the election
very interesting.

“We noted that the various candidates emerged through
transparent internal party democratic process in their various
parties.”

“We commend His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Enugu
State for considering it necessary to conduct this very important
Local Government Election in the State not minding the economic
challenges which other states are using as an excuse”, the group
added.

As at the time of going to press, the Chairman of ENSIEC, Mike
Ajogwu (SAN) was yet to formally declare the result of the
election.

Culled: nigeriantribune