19/09/2024
PRESS STATEMENT
19 | 09 | 2024
ENSURING A FREE, FAIR, AND CREDIBLE ELECTION IN OJI-RIVER LGA
1. Appreciation for Efforts Towards Free, Fair, and Credible Elections in Enugu State.
The Labour Party (LP Oji-River) LGA extends its heartfelt appreciation to the Enugu State Government, under the leadership of Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for the visible efforts geared towards ensuring free, fair, and credible elections on Saturday, 21st September 2024.
The signing of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) Bill and the funding of the electoral process are commendable steps that demonstrate a commitment to democratic principles and the will of the people.
2. Concerns Regarding Electoral Officers
While we acknowledge the appointment of the Returning Officer and Electoral Officer for Oji-River LGA, we express our concerns that they are card-carrying members of the Official Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Nigeria.
However, the Labour Party - LP is not overly concerned about their political affiliations. We urge these officers to discharge their electoral duties with integrity and impartiality, as mandated by the ENSIEC law.
3. Allegations of Electoral Malpractice
The Labour Party Oji-River has been reliably informed of a ruinous plan by certain schemers and adversaries within the PDP to thwart the good intentions of the Governor, the electoral laws, and ENSIEC in the forthcoming elections.
These elements are allegedly plotting to hijack and divert sensitive electoral materials, ensuring that the original result sheets are not fully deployed to the 20 Wards and 175 Polling Units across Oji-River LGA.
4. Concern Over Polling Unit Relocation
The Labour Party is also deeply concerned about a Polling Unit with the name and code: CATTLE MARKET NOMADIC SCH II (14-14-05-011) located in Ugwuoba Ward I, which was, contrary to the law, moved to a private property during the last general elections.
We have officially written to ENSIEC to this effect and hereby publicly urge the electoral umpire to take decisive steps in reversing this anomaly by retaining the Polling Unit at its designated location at the Cattle Market.
5. Call for Vigilance and Transparency
We hereby alert ENSIEC that the Labour Party Oji-River will not accept incomplete materials for the election at ENSIEC Enugu, ENSIEC Oji-River LGA, the twenty Wards, and across the 175 Polling Units in Oji-River.
Our accredited Party Agents are prepared to thoroughly audit the election materials, including the number of ballot papers and result sheets, to ensure that the people are not shortchanged in the process.
6. Appeal for a Free, Fair, and Credible Election
The Labour Party appeals to the Governor of Enugu State and ENSIEC to uphold an enabling environment for the people of Enugu State, especially Oji-River, to elect their choice and advance our local democracy by ensuring a free, fair, and credible election on September 21st, 2024.
7. Call for Professionalism from Security Agencies
The Labour Party is calling on the Inspector General of Police, the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 13, the Commissioner of Police Enugu State, the Area Command Oji-River, the Divisional Police Officer Oji-River, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Commandant, Oji-River to uphold strict professionalism in their duty by protecting the people, laws, and votes, and ultimately ensuring a peaceful conduct of the forthcoming elections.
8. Full Commitment to Electoral Rules
As partners for grassroots development and the well-being of our people, the Labour Party is fully committed to abiding by all the rules guiding the election to guarantee a smooth and seamless change of government that mirrors the wishes of the Oji-River people.
Thank you and remain blessed.
Signed:
Dr. McGinger Nonso Ibeneme
Chairman, Labour Party Oji-River LGA
Cc:
1. The Governor of Enugu State
2. ENSIEC Chairman, Enugu State
3. The ENSIEC EO, Oji-River LGA
4. DSS, Oji-River
5. Commissioner of Police, Enugu State
6. Area Command Oji-River
7. Divisional Police Officer, Oji-River
8. The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Oji-River
9. The Nigerian Army Unit, Oji-River