Anambra's Local Government Election 2024: The Best So Far

By Ejike Abana

Anambra State has been without a local government election for the last eleven years. The last local government election took place in 2013, few months before the then Governor Peter Obi left office- the election was marred with reports of violence and so on and so forth.

The expiration of the tenure of the chairmen and councillors in the twenty one local government areas and three hundred and twenty six wards, respectively, sparked concerns amongst citizens over the lack of accountability and transparency in local government affairs.

Subsequently, it was on this premise that in 2021, during his campaign and at his 2022 inauguration speech, Governor Soludo variously promised to conduct the local government election within his first term in office. Many did not believe.

No doubt, in the last eleven years, the absence of local government elections in the state has impeded the development of democracy at the grassroots level and has left citizens without a voice in the governance of their communities.

Before now, many stakeholders had criticized the government over its inability to conduct local government elections, noting that it is a fundamental aspect of democracy that should not be neglected.

Some believe that the postponement of local government elections is a deliberate attempt by the state government to control local government affairs and divert resources meant for local development to other projects.

Fast forward to 2024, as a man who believes in "process", Governor Soludo spearheaded the arrangement of the institutional mechanisms and legal framework for the organisation of the local government election. The election would have been held in December this year, but for the Supreme Court judgement that almost made it like an emergency for states without Council Chairmen to quickly conduct their election.

Yesterday, September, 28, 2024, Soludo kept the promise he made to ndị Anambra- a transparent election took place where nine political parties participated. From the video evidence and reactions by the people, the election has been described as the best so far. Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission, ANSIEC conducted local government elections, which was largely adjudged to be peaceful, free, and fair. The government's decision to conduct local government elections has been well received by more than 60 percent of citizens, who have hailed the move as a step in the right direction towards deepening democracy at the grassroots level.

Speaking shortly after he cast his vote at his ward in Isuofia, Governor Soludo acknowledged that the reports he got, the electoral process was transparent, free, and fair and expressed his satisfaction with the conduct of the election, which he believes demonstrated the state's growth in democratic values. By affirming the transparency of the election, Governor Soludo reassured the people of the state that their voices had been heard and that the process had been fully inclusive.

It is hoped that the successful conduct of the local government elections in Anambra State will serve as a catalyst for the elected Council Chairmen and Councillors in the state to prioritize democracy and development at the grassroots level.

Many political enthusiasts, stakeholders, citizens, civil society organisations and observers commended the Governor and security operatives for their roles in ensuring that the election was violence-free.

The voter turnout was also a testimony of the people's desire for good governance and transparency at the grassroots level. Commendations therefore goes to ndị Anambra for coming out to vote. It is hoped that their votes produced competent and capable leaders at the various Council Areas.

The just concluded local government election marks a significant milestone in the strengthening of democracy at the grassroots level in Anambra State. The people had spoken through their votes and they had decided to elect leaders who would directly represent their needs. By implication, it is believed that the elected local government chairmen would be accountable to their constituencies and deliver the dividends of democracy.

In conclusion, the Anambra State local government election is proof that Governor Soludo is committed to delivering free, fair, and transparent elections to the people of the State. His commitment to transparency and accountability in governance has continued to yield dividends, and the people of Anambra State can look forward to even more development under his leadership. Definitely, the elected Chairmen will tow this path.

APGA Kicks-Off Campaign With Rally, Ahead Of Saturday 28th Local Government Poll

By Ejike Abana

Ahead of the Saturday, 28th September local government election in the state, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA has taken to the streets to officially kick-off its campaign.

A rally led by the party's National Leader and Governor of the state, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, to drum and solicit support from ndị Anambra was held at the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka.

Local Government Chairmanship candidates and councillors from the twenty one local government areas of the state, thronged the venue in colourful APGA insignias, seeking to win hearts and minds for the party.

In a speech, Governor Soludo stressed the importance of grassroot election which can further drive development and solicited the people's support for the party to continue its development trajectory across the state.

He added that the conduct of the local government election is a promise made and promise kept, eventhough many did not believe during the campaigns and promised a free and fair election, one man, one vote.

The State Chairman of the party, Barr. Ifeatu Obiokoye emphasized that the party is ready to go in for the elections.

Some people who spoke including the National Chairman of APGA, Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa, Iyom Bianca Ojukwu, Rt. Hon. Paschal Agbodike, Chief Chinedu Obidigwe, Ozonkpu Victor Oye, Dozie Nwankwo, among others, stressed that APGA is a grassroot-oriented party, generally accepted by ndị Anambra as their development vehicle.

The Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, Board of Trustees members of APGA, accompanied the Governor to the event which was attended by a mammoth crowd of witnesses and APGA faithful.

Get Ready As Anambra Gears For Local Government Election

By Ejike Abana

As the State of Anambra gears up for its upcoming local government elections in 26 days time, the stage is set for a showdown between political parties as they vie for control and representation at the grassroots level.

The election, slated for September 28, 2024, will be the first after over one decade; coincidentally under the administration of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, and political pundits have already started to speculate on its outcome.

Having finalized the date and other modalities by Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission, various political parties have hit the ground running, campaigning and strategizing to win over voters.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), which currently holds all the seats in the state, is expected to face strong opposition from other contenders, but there are very strong indicators that it'll continue to retain its pride of place in the state.

One of the key issues that the electorate will be looking for is good governance. Many residents of Anambra state are very happy with the current state of affairs in the state, judging by the enormous success stories of massive infrastructure upgrade, youth employment, and adequate health care, as well as other social amenities.

As such, candidates who can articulate a clear vision for improving the quality of life for the people are likely to receive greater support. In this regard, APGA, led by Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo is the champion. The "people's manifesto" aptly captures the "future Anambra"; and the present administration is vigorously pursuing its implementation.

Candidates have been reaching out to interest groups across the state, from traditional rulers to civil society organisations, to build support for their campaigns. Over the years, this has been a major strategy employed by APGA, which has made significant inroads into many communities.

Certainly, APGA's dominance is not in any way threatened by the effects of the ongoing family skirmishes in the party as the party is currently embroiled in a battle for control. Despite this, the party continues to wax stronger with each passing day.

Another issue likely to feature prominently in the election is security. Anambra has witnessed a spate of violent attacks in recent months. Candidates who can promise to join Governor Soludo in addressing the security challenges in the state are likely to gain more traction among voters.

Despite these challenges, ANSIEC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring a free and fair election in Anambra. The commission has promised to deploy state-of-the-art technology to enhance the transparency of the process and has called on stakeholders to support its efforts.

Observers have also called for a level playing field for all parties, including strict enforcement of electoral laws and the provision of adequate security measures. They have emphasised the need for peaceful conduct by all parties.

Several initiatives have been implemented to educate the electorate on their rights and responsibilities during the election. The Anambra State Government and other organisations have held sensitisation programmes, town hall meetings and other events aimed at empowering voters and promoting civic engagement.

One of the unique features of the upcoming election is the use of certain novel measures to enhance the participation of residents in the process.

This, coupled with the use of manual means, is expected to enhance the credibility of the process and reduce the incidence of electoral malfeasance. ANSIEC has stated that the processes are tamper-proof and will prevent malpractices.

In addition, the commission has promised to deploy adequate personnel, including security personnel, to safeguard the voting process and ensure the safety of voters and officials. The success of these measures will be critical to the outcome of the election.

As Anambra braces for the local government elections, the stakes are high, with political parties and candidates vying for control and representation at the grassroots level. Good governance, security, and other social amenities will be key issues on which candidates will be judged, while the role of certain measures in enhancing transparency and participation cannot be overlooked.

Ultimately, the success of the election will rest on the ability of all stakeholders, including ANSIEC, political parties, candidates, and voters, to play their part in ensuring a peaceful and credible process. Only then can Anambra take another huge step towards a new era of improved governance and development at the local level.

Ndị Anambra! Trust and embrace the process. The future is here.