‘Opposition Will Participate In Enugu LG Polls, But…’

Ahead of Saturday’s local government election in Enugu State, a former chairman of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Barrister John Nwobodo, said the opposition parties will participate in the election.

He, however, doubted the capacity of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) to conduct a free and fair election.

Nwobodo alleged that six days to the election, political parties were gasping for information on whether the commission has secured the voter register and BVAS from INEC or whether they intended to conduct the election without BVAS.

Nwobodo, a chairmanship  candidate of the Accord Party for the election, averred that the uncertainty regarding their level of preparedness in terms of logistics was germane.

“On whether opposition parties are willing to participate, I would respond in the affirmative.

However, the 21st September Election is a forerunner election foreshadowing the election that meets the requirements of all.

“The notice of election is less than 360 days; the parties primaries and submission of list of candidates did not satisfy the 180 days provided in the Electoral Act, 2022.

“Furthermore, the Commission has flatly defied all statutory procedural timeliness for conduct of elections.

“These breaches have hampered the participation of opposition political parties. For instance, the Commission’s amended timetable fixed campaigns for 7th September-20th September being a period of 14 days which is far from the 150 days of campaign provided in the Electoral Act, 2022.

“How far can a candidate traverse a Local Government Area in just 14 days? What kind of campaign?

“Overall,  ENSIEC apart from its disdain for the law is grossly unprepared for the election and therefore lacks the capacity and integrity to conduct a free and fair elections.”

Nwobodo also claimed that the commission’s engagement with relevant stakeholders especially political parties is near zero.

“The commission since assuming office has met with political parties once at the prompting of political parties. This meant that the political parties had no input whatsoever in an election in which they are the major players.

“The commission’s preparation for the election is mired in opacity. There is no information on deployment of sensitive and non-sensitive materials including modalities for accreditation” he stated.