267 To Vie For Political Offices In Abia

No fewer than 267 candidates from 25 political parties are vying for elective positions in the April elections in Abia, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Mr Austin Okojie, told a consultative meeting with stakeholders that 15 candidates would contest the governorship election while 12 others had been cleared for the deputy governorship seat.

Okojie disclosed that of the 22 candidates for the Senate, Abia North had eight while Abia Central and Abia South had seven each.

He also said that of the 56 House of Representatives candidates, Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency had 10, Umuahia/Ikwuano had nine, Obingwa/Ossisoma/Ugwunagbo had eight, Isialangwa had five while Ukwa, Umunneochi/Isuikwuanto and Bende had six each.

The REC said that 162 candidates from 15 of the 25 political parties were cleared for the state house of assembly.

He advised the candidates and their parties to verify the list and report any anomalies to the commission.

Okojie said INEC experienced many challenges and apprehensions during the registration exercise.

He, however, said that in spite of the challenges, “the commission did everything possible to satisfy the yearnings of the people to enthrone a stable democratic process in Abia”.

He appealed to the political class to assist the commission achieve its goal of conducting a hitch-free, fair and credible election by playing the game according to the rules.

“Political parties are expected to impress upon their supporters that election is just a game and not a do-or-die matter,” he remarked.

Okojie said that the provisions of the Electoral Act were clear, noting that it prohibited and sanctioned the use of masquerades, quasi-military organisations and offensive weapons during and after elections.

He said the Act also proscribed the use of siren by officials, campaigns and soliciting for votes and personal guards on election days as such attracted a sanction of N500,000.

“You are advised to get copies of the Act and educate your members on its provisions,” he said.

Okojie also said that the commission had set up an inter-agency consultative committee on election security with all security operatives as members.