….As the party declines participation, cites manipulation of Candidates’ list
By Tony Ezike
The Anambra State chapter of the Labour Party has announced its decision to boycott Saturday’s Local Government elections, accusing the state government and the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) of tampering with the party’s candidates list.
During a Friday press conference in Awka, the party’s spokesperson, Theo Egbe, revealed that ANSIEC published names of known members of the ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) as Labour Party candidates, despite the Labour Party neither selling nomination forms nor conducting primaries.
Egbe condemned the actions of ANSIEC, calling the candidates “political mercenaries” who are not recognized by the party. He urged the public to disregard these names and reassured party members that the matter is being pursued in court.
Meanwhile, Ugochukwu Emeh, the state chairman of the party, described the forthcoming election as null and void, pledging to take legal action against the unapproved candidates.
This decision aligns with the stance of the national leadership of the Labour Party, which earlier endorsed the Anambra chapter’s move under Emeh’s leadership.
