The newly appointed chairman, Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC) Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa has again insisted that the Commission under his leadership will conduct the freest and fairest local government election in the state.
This is even as the opposition party in the state, the APC and other political parties accuse the state governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu of appointing a card-carrying member of the PDP to conduct an election the PDP is contesting in.
In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onyebuchi Ememanka, Prof. Mkpa made this assurance during his swearing in ceremony by the Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.
According to Prof. Mkpa, the Commission will before long propose the date for Local Government elections to the government. He thanked the Governor for finding him capable of undertaken the assignment. Prof Mkpa disclosed that he belongs to no political party and therefore would be fair to all and sundry.
Earlier, the State governor who was represented by his deputy, Sir. Ude Oko Chukwu charged Prof. Mkpa to treat all individuals and political parties fairly, equally and equitably.
He added that the appointment of Professor Mkpa followed the expiration of the tenure of the former ABSIEC boss, noting that there was need to fill the gap and rejig the Commission.
He said that government considered Prof. Mkpa’s pedigree, capacity and ability knowing that he is a man that treats everyone fairly.
The Deputy Governor also charged Prof. Mkpa to try and fix the date of Local Government elections as soon as possible, noting that Local Government elections in the State has always been free and fair.
Secretary to Government, Barrister Chris Ezem, some members of the State Executive Council, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr-acb Agbazuere and key officers of ABSIEC were part of the brief ceremony which took place at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House Umuahia this morning.