Why we're heading to court over Anambra LG Poll - LP

Why we're heading to court over Anambra LG Poll - LP 

By Chukwudi Ebele 

Labour Party (LP), Anambra state chapter has explained reasons behind its decision to challenge in court the September 28, 2024 State Local Government election.

The party said the decision followed certain observed irregularities in the planned poll, including amended Anambra state electoral law and non-budgetary allocation for it in the 2024 appropriation. 

Addressing reporters in Awka after a meeting of newly inaugurated State working committee, Publicity Secretary, Engr. Theo Egbe alleged that the hastily amended laws were not unconnected to Governor Chukwuma Soludo's plot to conduct the poll before October or loose the monthly LG Fund allocations to a holding account as ruled by the Supreme Court.

Egbe, flanked by other state executives, 21 LGAs and 326 electoral wards, however, explained that the party was getting prepared to participate in the election.

He said, "After after careful study of the amendments, we have resolved to approach the courts to challenge the observed obnoxious clauses in the hastily amended law. 

“However, we are getting prepared also to participate in the election without prejudice to the outcome of the court processes pending before the court.

“We therefore enjoin party faithful at the grassroots to prepare for the elections while we work assiduously to release the party guidelines within the next 24 hours. 

“We shall remain on constant alert, observation and analysis of unfolding events and will from time to time, update our members with current developing events."

State Secretary of the Party, Bar. Okorie Akirika listed some key provisions the party would challenge in the state amended electoral law to include sections attempting to regulate the conduct and management of political parties, political party dispute and results collation. 

“There are outstanding provisions that purported to regulate the conduct and management of political parties. There are also those dealing with dispute in political parties and collation of results. 

"We will challenge these and other unbridled illegality which are in direct conflicts with new National Electoral Act,” he explained.