Politics
Resign Now, APC Tells Soludo Over Failure To Hold LG Polls
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State has asked the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to resign following his inability to conduct elections in the 21 local government areas of the state more than a year after assuming office.
Consequently, the party has urged the Federal Government to appoint a “caretaker” governor to run the affairs of the state.
It stated this in a statement signed by the state Publicity Secretary, Okelo Madukaife, on Wednesday.
Both APC and the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra have been tackling each other over the non-conduct of LG elections in the state since 2014.
Okelo pointed out that since 1999 when democracy returned to the country, Anambra State had only organised two local government elections and that was during the early days of Late Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju’s administration and towards the end of Peter Obi’s administration in 2014.
The state chairman of APGA, Mr Ifeatu Obi-Okoye, had in an interview recently, cited “litany of litigation” at the courts as the reason preventing the state from holding LG elections.
But in the statement, Okelo asked the Anambra people and the general public to critically engage APGA on the issues concerning the Anambra State local governments.
The statement read: “Evasion of issues will not cure the angst and disappointment of Ndi Anambra over the inability of the government of the day to hold local government elections, within six months as was promised in their campaign during the Anambra governorship elections in 2021.
“On the contrary, APC promised to hold the APGA government, which seems to have lost initiative so soon to account and are doing so.
“For the second time in one week, APGA chairman, Ifeatu Obi-Okoye, has failed to mention the particular suit which he claims APC has in court that has stopped the government controlled by his party from holding LG elections and no one seemed to have returned him to the brass tacks.
“He failed to allude to the fact that Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission is paying workers who do nothing and has also failed to acknowledge that as of today, ANSIEC has no board, which has a serious duty in election planning and execution.
“On one hand, Obi-Okoye cites an apex court judgment that, according to him, empowers Anambra State Government to appoint caretaker committees while on the other, he says the case is pending and no one has taken him up for the glaring contradiction.
“Interestingly, this is coming from a party who ignored specific court orders to hold its conversation without worrying about the implications, only to invoke uncited and unreferenced cases stopping LG elections.
“We are interested in saving Anambra LGs from the state government and allowing our people feel the impact of government at the grassroots rather than being treated to vocabularies from Awka. APGA can only tell a blind man that there is no oil in the soup, not that there is no salt.
“Anambra State citizens and residents are well advised to demand for 21 elected local governments that will be accountable to them and not to be schooled on dictations that seek impossible legitimacy through legality.”
He explained that whatever APGA members impose on the LGs lacks the legitimacy to be regarded, adding that neither APC nor Anambra people will offer them any recognition.
“Henceforth, the recognisable steps to register our non-recognition of those stooges from one party will become clearer.
“If Soludo insists on defending lack of democratic governments in Anambra LGs directly or in proxy, a full year after the time he gave to hold elections has passed, he should resign as governor to enable President Bola Tinubu appoint a Caretaker governor for Anambra State and later find a legal justification for it.
“Ndi Anambra should be prepared to reclaim their right to elect their leaders after 24 years of continuous rape, 17 of which have been executed by APGA,” the statement added.
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
-
News4 days ago2026 Budget: FG Allocates N12.78bn For Census, NPC Vehicles
-
Sports3 days agoAFCON: Osimhen, Lookman Threaten Algeria’s Record
-
Politics3 days agoWike’s LGAs Tour Violates Electoral Laws — Sara-Igbe
-
Politics3 days agoRivers Political Crisis: PANDEF Urges Restraint, Mutual Forbearance
-
Sports3 days agoNPFL To Settle Feud between Remo Stars, Ikorodu City
-
Sports3 days agoPalace ready To Sell Guehi For Right Price
-
Sports3 days agoArsenal must win trophies to leave legacy – Arteta
-
Sports3 days agoTottenham Captain Criticises Club’s Hierarchy