LG Election: You can’t be referee in your own match, Abia APC tells PDP

The Abia State chapter of the APC has kicked against the appointment of Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa as the chairman Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC) by the state governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.

The party in a statement signed by the state Publicity Secretary, Comrade Benedict Godson while accusing Prof. Mkpa of being a card carrying member of PDP, former Commissioner and former SSG said PDP cannot fix a match, play in it and be the referee.

“Fellow Abians, men and women of the God’s own State, you all know why a local government election has become inevitable to the growth and development of our dear state.

“You all can see how our state is managed like a vast farmland situated in a desert area bearing no fruit from year to year. So dry that we’ve become a state for mockery nation wide.

“You’re also aware that the All Progressives Congress as a party committed towards taking the dividends of democracy to the grassroots, few months ago, called on the Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu to organize a local government election.

“Opposition is not just about criticism, but about constructive criticism that will push the government in power to develop human face and do the right thing if truly they’re sincerely about governance.

“So, we’re glad that he has responded and is currently putting plans in place to make it happen. However, his recent appointment of the Chairman of ABSIEC shows that someone is not ready for free and fair election in Abia.

“Amongst all party, APC will be the most miserable if he are politically lethargic to keep silent and allow this clandestine stratagem and political jiggery-pokery of the PDP evident in the appointment of Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa, a card carrying member of the PDP as Chairman of ABSIEC.

“It’s on record that Prof. Mkpa is not just a PDP card carrying member, but a Chieftain of the party who by that privilege has served as a Commissioner, a Secretary to the State Government as well as the Vice Chancellor of the Abia State University Uturu (ABSU)”.

While affirming the credibility of Prof. Mkpa in delivering an acceptable local government election, the APC said his loyalty to the ruling party in the state will be an impediment towards this.

“With his academic pedigree and achievements while serving as the Vice Chancellor of ABSU, as well as one time Secretary to Abia State Government and a Commissioner of Education, one cannot doubt his academic capabilities and qualifications.

“But there’s no way blue will replace purple no matter their similarities. We cannot ask for fish and you give us snake. We cannot ask for bread and you give us stone. Prof. Mkpa cannot give Abians a free and fair election because he must dance to the tone of his party, the PDP.

“Appointment of Prof Mkpa Agu Mkpa by Governor Ikpeazu as Chairman of ABSIEC, saddled with the responsibility of organizing LGA election in Abia, is unacceptable to the APC and we reject it and ask the State House of Assembly to think Abia first before doing something that will generate massive disapproval.

“We borrow a legal Latin phrase to say to the PDP: “Nemo judex in causa sua.” It simply means, “no-one is judge in his own cause.” The gentleman Prof is a respected Abian, but he must not be made a referee of a competition he’s one of the participants.

“We don’t have any problem with his personality. The issue lies with his political affiliation and loyalty with the PDP. He’s a card carrying member of the PDP. This is not hidden. They’ve just started their first rigging process which is what they’re known for.

“We reject that appointment in its entirety and urge well meaning Abians and all serious political parties to join hands to reject this obnoxious appointment which potents nothing good for opposition politics in Abia.

“Yes, we want LGA election, but the PDP cannot hoodwink all of us into an election where they’ve painstakingly done all the political arithmetic aimed to theatrically arrogate powers to their people using one of their own.

“Anyone who is not new to Abia politics will know that giving us Prof Mkpa as ABSIEC Chairman is a “Greek Gift” Abians must reject without reservation because it was never done with good intention and it’ll hurt everyone after the election” the statement concluded.