An All Progressives Congress, APC Women Support Group has called on the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission, ABSIEC, and Governor Alex Otti to ensure a level playing ground for all the political parties participating in the forthcoming local government exercise.
The group made the demand following the release of the timetable table for the exercise by the Chairman of ABSIEC, George Chima, announcing the programme of activities heralding the commencement of the elections.
The National Coordinator of the group, Oluchi Erondu, speaking on the forthcoming LG election, urged the governor to ensure that the exercise is transparently done.
She asked Governor Otti to practically demonstrate what he preaches about justice and fair play by allowing other political parties participate in the election without being intimidated or sidelined.
“The Abia State Independent Electoral Commission has published a timetable for 2024 LG elections as regards the Chairmanship and Councillor elections. The governor has always preached free and fair elections, which made it possible for him to emerge as the governor of the state.
“If you watch what happened during the last general elections he was the only Labour Party candidate who emerged as the governor which means the voice of the masses played a significant role in his emergence.
”As this election is coming we know very well that most of the state electoral commissions are being influenced by the governors, because of this, we, the APC Women Support Group are calling on the governor to give room for that which made it possible for him to emerge as governor.”
The APC women support group national coordinator used the occasion to encourage the party to actively participate in the election saying that it is the only way it can make inroads at the grassroots level.