Skip to main content

APC rejects creation of 39 new political wards in Akwa Ibom

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom has rejected the creation of 39 new political wards by the State Independent Electoral Commission, saying that it has no powers to do so.

A statement by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Mr Nkereuwem Enyongekere, in Uyo Thursday, described the exercise as dubious, illegal and unilateral and urged Akwa Ibom people to disregard it.

He said that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria empowered only the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to create wards.

The APC spokesman cited the Supreme Court’s nullification of similar wards creation in Cross River to buttress the party’s position.

“In line with the resolution of the State Working Committee issued at its meeting of July 28, 2020.

“The All Progressives Congress, Akwa Ibom State chapter, rejects in totality the dubious, unilateral and illegal creation of 39 electoral wards in the state by Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission as announced by its Chairman, Mr Ikoiwak on Sunday, July 26, 2020.

“The party, therefore, calls on Akwa Ibom people to disregard this illegality, as the state has no such powers to create electoral wards.

“The Constitution of the Federal Government of Nigeria vests the power of creating wards only in Independent National Electoral Commission.

“The nullification of similar wards creation by the Supreme Court when it happened in Cross River State attests to our current position,” he said.

He expressed surprise that such important issue of wards creation was not part of the agenda during the stakeholders’ meeting convened by AKISIEC on July 17 to discuss the upcoming local government election.

He argued that even if the state was vested with such power to create electoral wards, it was unconstitutional for the state electoral umpire to create wards in total exclusion of political parties, stakeholders and communities in the state

“During the stakeholders meeting in which all other political parties including APC were in attendance to discuss the upcoming 2020 local government elections in the state, the creation of additional electoral wards in the state was not mentioned at all for discussion.

“The non inclusion of that on the agenda by the AKISIEC for deliberations exposes the sinister motives of AKISIEC and PDP led government.

“With the upcoming Local Government Elections just around the corner, this impromptu creation of wards amounts to shifting the goalposts in the middle of the match and it is absolutely not acceptable to APC in Akwa Ibom State,” he said.

The party spokesman said that APC as a party would use every constitutional means at its disposal to ensure that “the illegality does not stand.”

ridoola.blogspot.com.ng

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Okpebholo suspends A-G & LG Chair under 3 months over finance dealings

The Edo Government has announced the suspension of Samson Osagie , its Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, and Damian Lawani , chairman of the Local Government Service Commission. Mr Musa Ikhilor , Secretary to the State Government (SSG) announced the suspension in a statement in Benin on Thursday morning. ALSO READ: Kano Govt suspend 2 school principals for alleged absenteeism, negligence Ikhilor said the two-state top officials were suspended over allegations of “grave official and financial interactions”. Okpebholo suspends Edo Attorney-General and LG Service Commission Chairman According to him, the suspension, which takes immediate effect, is pending the conclusion of an investigation into the allegations. The SSG said; It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that Gov. Monday Okpebholo has approved the suspension from office of the Chairman of Edo Local Government Service Commission, Damian Lawani and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Os...

Tinubu appoints MKO Abiola's son, Jamiu as SSA on Linguistics & Foreign Matters

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Jamiu Abiola as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Linguistics and Foreign Matters. The appointee is one of the children of the late Chief Moshood Kolawole Abiola , the winner of the 1993 presidential election annulled by General Ibrahim Babangida . According to a statement by Segun Imohiosen , the Director of Information and Public Relations, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, Jamiu's appointment took effect from November 14, 2024. Imohiosen said the appointment aligns with the provisions of the Certain Political and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc) Act 2008, as amended. Until his recent deployment, the appointee served as the Special Assistant to the President of Special Duties in the office of the Vice President. Tinubu tasked Jamiu to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and bring his wealth of experience to bear in his new ...

Protesters block East-West road in Rivers, demand action on poverty & hunger

The protesters chose to spotlight the East-west road in the expression of their anger over hunger, poverty and infrastructure deficit in the supposed viable business area. The ongoing nationwide protest, on Monday, spread to the Eleme/Onne section of the East/West Road of Rivers as a large crowd of protesters stormed the popular section connecting the Port Harcourt refineries. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Akpajo axis of the East-West Road, up to the entrance leading to Indorama Petrochemicals, was taken over by angry protesters, who disrupted free vehicular movements. The East-west road is a major route connecting Port Harcourt city to key business facilities, like the Onne seaport, Port Harcourt refineries, Indorama Petrochemicals and more than six Local Government Areas of the state. The protesters, who carried on their activities peacefully, displayed placards with inscriptions, expressing dissatisfaction over the pervasive poverty, hunger and high cost of ...