Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC, Ebonyi state chapter has suspended indefinitely four party chairmen over their threat to boycott the April 25, 2020 local government election.
The state IPAC chairman, Morgan Nwogba disclosed, this in Abakaliki on Thursday, stating that IPAC had earlier registered it’s complain over the purchase of local government chairmanship form for N1million and councillorship for N200, 000.
He said they wrote a petition to Ebonyi state Independent Electoral Commission, EBISEC, and after they complained, government intervened thereby removing the One million naira and two hundred naira respectively which enabled them to field their various candidates.
He noted that despite government’s intervention on the matter, the suspended members continued with the threat to boycott the election.
Stating: “When we heard of the N1million for form, we approached EBSIEC and appealed with them to see what they can do to remove the fee outrightly and government intervened that’s why we were able to field in candidates for the election.
“We are not paying any money to get the form, we are prepared and the one million naira is not going to be an obstacle.
“Initially, we were agitating for the removal of N1million for form, now that the government has intervened there is no more agitation, those of them that were still pushing were asked to stop but they refused and as a result they were suspended indefinitely.
“They are Mr. Pasca Ani Ndubuisi, of Accord Party, Mrs. Kate Ohakam, of, APM, Chinedu Elekwachi of APP and Austin Nweze of SDP”.
Nwogba reiterated that so many political parties will participate in the forthcoming local government election in the state, including his own party, United Patriot.
He maintained that Ebonyi IPAC was not divided, while expressing optimism that EBSIEC will conduct a free and fair election.
He debunked the claim that local government chairmen were directed to give IPAC whooping amount to enable their candidates purchase form.
The APGA chairman in the state, Mr. Ricky Okorouka, stated their readiness to participate in the election.
He disclosed that his party fielded two candidates for chairmanship and six candidates for councillorship positions, stating they are done with their primaries and have submitted names of successful candidates to EBISEC.
“These were the few people we were able to convince, you know that people don’t feel comfortable coming out for local government election, but we are glad that some came out to represent the party”, he stated
Former IPAC chairman and now the Special Assistant to the Governor on Inter Party and Labour Matters, Mrs. Jennifer Adibe-Nwafor, said she had several meetings with members of IPAC to ensure they are in unity.
“I’m IPAC product, and as the former chairman of IPAC, I should also know where the opposition is coming from. They earlier raised a communiqué which was submitted to my office, and the issue was addressed, but there were some people who tried to be funny and I’m happy that the members have suspended them indefinitely for trying to act otherwise.
“Meanwhile, as former IPAC chairman we work on the directive of our national chairman. We can make a release and then our national can say otherwise. Remember that one of the reasons why INEC deregistered some parties recently was because of not having candidates.
So for you to say your party will boycott an election that you don’t know whether you have a chance to win is not a good idea.
“They have also given instructions to all their members to get candidates and field. So nobody is boycotting any election, parties are participating; I also saw lists in EBSIEC where other political parties fielded candidates and I believe the election will be free and fair.
She said EBISEC has gone on sensitization and voter education, while IPAC in collaboration with his office will soon embark on sensitization.
She said his office has the EBSIEC guideline, that the Elekwachi of APP who was suspended has candidates from his party.
“Someone that sold chairmanship and councillorship forms, and you are saying that you will boycott election, what is the essence of selling forms. He has even submitted names to EBSIEC.
“Disregard any claim that political parties will boycott the local government election.
Governor Umahi has given political parties a level playing ground, he doesn’t discriminate, he has even appointed members of opposition parties into his government” she stated.
