The Abia State Chapter of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the recently concluded Local Government elections and advised aggrieved candidates from various political parties to pursue redress through appropriate channels rather than escalating tensions in the polity.
Speaking at a press briefing in Umuahia, the State IPAC Chairman, Mr. Uluocha Chimex, who was flanked by leaders of various political parties in the state, recalled that they had earlier signed a peace accord “to go into the election peacefully and accept the outcome.
Mr Uluocha lauded Governor Alex Otti for his neutrality in the elections and stated that the Governor’s non-interference in the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC) operations ensured a transparent, fair, and hitch-free election.
The IPAC Chairman while addressing grievances expressed by some candidates regarding access to certified true copies of election results, encouraged those not fully satisfied with the outcome of the polls to follow due process through their respective political parties instead of hitting up the polity.
He pointed out that no State Chairman has reported challenges in accessing documents from ABSIEC.
“We have heard that some candidates have expressed dissatisfaction with ABSIEC on the release of certified true copies of the election results.
“We encourage them to do that in accordance to their parties’ principles because no State Chairman here has reported to me as IPAC Chairman of their challenges in accessing this document which should encourage everybody to follow due process.
“I have encouraged party Chairmen here to still invite their various party candidates that wish to access this documents to still apply through their party and I believe that ABSIEC will not have any other reason than to comply.
“So far, nobody has told me if they are having difficulties accessing that. But it’s very unfortunate that the first thing they do is running to the press”, he said.
Mr Uluocha also commended the ABSIEC and security agencies for their professionalism during the electoral process and described the exercise as peaceful and credible.
“This is the only time we can see an election free of rancour, free of violence , free of any other form of election malpractice”, he said.
The IPAC Chairman noted that his party, the Young Progressives Party (YPP), secured two chairmanship seats out of 17 local government areas and emphasized that all political parties were carried along throughout the electoral process.
He urged the newly elected Local Government Chairmen to embrace inclusive governance and prioritize development over political divisions adding that as members of different political parties they are reviewing their performance for a better outing in subsequent exercises
“I want to enjoin all elected officers to see their victory as a victory to all. There is need for them to develop their local Government Areas. It is not a matter of winner takes it all”, Uluocha stated.
Contributing, the Secretary of IPAC Mr Joseph Ulu reiterated that IPAC is not an opposition party but an advisory body committed to promoting good Governance and urged the winners to run an all -inclusive leadership.
