The ruling Labour party in the state has barred serving Local Government Chairmen, their Deputies and the 184 serving ward councillors from participating in the forth coming Local Government Elections, reports news mirror.
This was the outcome of the enlarged stakeholders meeting of the Labour Party, held at the residence of Gov. Alex Otti on Sunday, 29th September, 2024
A source revealed to
that the party may have opted for consensus candidates in the primary election billed for the 3rd and 4 the October, 2024
Recall that the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission has fixed November 2nd, 2024 for the Local Government Election.
In a strange development, about one month to the election, there are no serious political activities across all the parties in the state, which has put a question mark on the credibility of the election, with due cognizance of the timing for campaigns and other activities.
With the development, some serving Local Government Chairmen, also known as Mayor in Abia, their Deputies and Councillors who are lobbying to come back is dashed by the party decision.
According to a memo intercepted by Newsmirror, it reads
All Transition Committee Chairmen ( Mayors) , Deputy Chairmen ( Deputy Mayors) and Councillors in Abia State not qualified to Contest the Forth coming LGA election . This was the outcome of the meeting the Governor held with the Mayors and LP stakeholders in his Nvosi country home yesterday.
This disqualification was blamed on the failure of the Mayors , Deputy Mayors and councillors to resign in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as, amended.
TO: ALL POLITICAL APPOINTEES
Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act 2022, All political appointees seeking to contest the upcoming Local Government Elections are hereby reminded to:
RESIGN FROM THEIR APPOINTED POSITION AT LEAST 30 DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF NOMINATION OR PARTY PRIMARY.
The Electoral Act 2022 requires political appointees to resign their positions before contesting elections. Specifically, Section 84(12) states that no political appointee can participate in party primaries or conventions while still holding their appointed office ” This provision aims to prevent appointees from using their positions to influence the electoral process and ensure a level playing field for all candidates.
The law applies to all political appointees, including: *Ministers, commissioners, SA’s, and appointed council councilors.* The requirement to resign is intended to:
1.Prevent conflict of interest
: Ensure that appointees don’t use public resources to advance their electoral interests
- Promote Fairness
: Level the playing field for all candidates, preventing appointees from leveraging their positions for electoral gains
- Maintain Neutrality
Ensure that appointees remain impartial and don’t influence the electoral process
