Politicians Accuse ENSIEC Of Partisanship

Leaders of political parties in Enugu State have strongly condemned the attitude of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC). They alleged that some members of the State electoral umpire, were card carrying members of the state ruling party – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
They expressed their readiness to support and fully back youths and women in their various parties to contest the forthcoming local government election in the state but were getting frustrated with the knowledge of the election not being conducted free and fair by ENSIEC.
The state Chairman of Providence Peoples Congress (PPC), Mr Newman Chukwuegbo, made his feelings known on Monday during a Town Hall Meeting in Enugu with political parties participating in the forthcoming February 23, local government election in the state.
He regretted that the development had demoralised the electorate and those with intention to contest for chairmanship and councillor positions.
“That is why there is low participation, people are saying why should we go and spend our money when the election is not free and fair and we do not have chances of winning,” Chukwuegbo lamented.
Also speaking, the State Chairman of Green Party of Nigeria, (GPN), Dr Afam Ani, alleged that initially, ENSIEC wanted to frustrate contestants from other parties by demanding charges and tax clearance but were stopped when they were reminded of an existing court judgment jettisoning such demands.
In the same vein, State Chairman of Action Alliance, (AA), Mr Festus Ogbonna, said his party fielded candidates in eight local governments, adding that the party faithful were afraid and wondered if the election would be conducted in a credible, free and fair manner.
The Programme Manager of YIAGA Africa, Mr Ibrahim Faruk, commended the leadership of political parties in the state for expressing their commitment to support young people as well as women with their structure, financial and material resources in the forthcoming council election in the state.
Faruk explained that YIAGA Africa is a non-profit civic hub of change makers committed to the promotion of democratic governance, human rights and civic engagement.
It would be recalled that YIAGA championed the passage of Not-Too-Young-To-Run Bill into Law.
“We are happy to notice during the town hall meeting, a healthy appetite and concessions for young men and women to participate in the forthcoming local government election in Enugu State, regardless of challenges, from the political parties”.
He said that YIAGA Africa wanted to create awareness around the local government election, adding: “Most times, when it comes to local government elections, there seems to be a kind of apathy hence the need for these sensitisation meetings”.