The leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State has vowed not to accord legitimacy to any government produced by the local government election that took place in the state on Friday, December 18, 2020.
According to the party, the election was marred by large-scale manipulation by the ruling PDP in the state with connivance of the electoral body, Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC).
Addressing newsmen in Umuahia on Saturday, chairman of the party, Chief Donatus Nwankpa while insisting that the party rejects in entirety the outcome of the Friday election said the APC is heading to court to seek redress.
While commending members of Abia state APC for what he called political sagacity and fighting spirit, Nwankpa described the chapter as the fastest growing political party in the country.
READ ALSO: Abia LG Poll: How PDP Candidate Attacked Punch Reporter Ikokwu
“ABSIEC exhibited not only incompetence but also exhibited a lack of preparedness. In most cases, there were not materials. In most cases, there were no result sheets, in most cases, they lacked the manpower and capacity to conduct election because there was no preparation for it” he alleged.
Citing the instance of Bende local government where the police DPO, electoral officer (EO), the PDP agent, Ibeji N. Ibeji, and APC candidate, CY Ekwunibe allegedly endorsed a document that there was no election due to lack of materials, he expressed surprise that plans are ongoing to declare result in the local government.
According to Nwankpa, same was the case in Isuikwuato, Arochukwu, and others.
While alleging that before the election took place, there was a display of electoral materials by agents of PDP in Ohafia the local government council of Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa, the ABSIEC chairman, the APC said the outcome of the election is not a reflection of the will of Abians.
He further alleged that Isuikwuato, Umunneochi, Umuahia North, Arochukwu, Ohafia, Ugwunagbo, and others were disenfranchised by ABSIEC, saying it can’t accept the outcome of the election.
Nwankpa while calling on members of APC to remain calm as the party heads to court demanded a refund of money paid by members of the party to ABSIEC, saying it was not judiciously utilized.
