Nineteen political parties in Abia State have called on the state government for financial support ahead of the local council elections scheduled for November 2, 2024. The request was made during a meeting with ABSIEC Chairman, Professor George Chima, where the parties cited the short notice as a challenge for raising the necessary funds and resources for campaigning.
The meeting, held at the ABSIEC office in Umuahia, was notable for the absence of the All Progressives Congress (APC). However, other political parties, including the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) led by Uluocha Chimex of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), expressed frustration over the election’s timing and asked ABSIEC to urge Governor Alex Otti to release funds to support their participation.
Professor Chima reassured the parties that the election, which will elect council chairmen and 184 ward councillors across Abia’s 17 local government areas, would proceed as planned. He emphasized ABSIEC’s commitment to a fair and transparent process and explained that the meeting was to unveil the election timetable and address concerns.
Meanwhile, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Enugu State commended the recently concluded local government elections as transparent, peaceful, and well-organized. In a statement, IPAC praised the high voter turnout and the absence of political interference, encouraging both winners and losers to work together for the benefit of the state. Observers deployed across all 17 local councils reported no incidents of electoral violence, reflecting the smooth running of the elections.