The ruling Labour Party, LP, in the Abia State has barred Local Government Chairmen, (Mayors), their Deputies and the 184 serving ward Councillors serving in the State from contesting the forthcoming Local Government elections in the State.
Recall that the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission, ABSIEC, has fixed November 2, 2024, for the Local Government Election in the State.
However, LP in its enlarged stakeholders meeting held at the residence of the State Governor. Alex Otti on Sunday, September 29, 2024, barred its members holding political offices.
The decision of the party is not unconnected with a provision of Section 84(12) the Electoral Act that stipulated that no political appointee could participate in party primaries or conventions while still holding their appointed office.
With the development, the hopes of some serving Mayors, their Deputies and Councillors who have being lobbying to come back have been dashed by the party decision.
This was contained in a memo sent to all the Local Government Headquarters in the State on Monday.
It reads: “All Transition Committee Chairmen (Mayors), Deputy Chairmen (Deputy Mayors) and Councillors in Abia State not qualified to Contest the Forth coming LGA election.
“This was the outcome of the meeting the Governor held with the Mayors and LP stakeholders in his Nvosi country home yesterday.
However, a source within the party reveals that the disqualification was blamed on the political officer holders at the LG level. Who ought to have resigned after the announcement of the elections.
It stated that the Mayors, Deputy Mayors and Councillors who were interested to contest should have resigned in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as, amended.
According to Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act 2022, all political appointees seeking to contest the upcoming Local Government Elections are hereby reminded to resign from their appointed position at least 30 Days prior to the bate of nomination or party primary.
Therefore, the Electoral Act 2022 requires political appointees to resign their positions before contesting elections.
Specifically, Section 84(12) states that no political appointee can participate in party primaries or conventions while still holding their appointed office.
This provision aims to prevent appointees from using their positions to influence the electoral process. And to ensure a level playing field for all candidates in the election.
The law applies to all political appointees, including Ministers, commissioners, SA’s, and appointed council councilors.
The requirement to resign is intended to:
- Prevent conflict of interest: Ensure that appointees don’t use public resources to advance their electoral interests
- Promote Fairness: Level the playing field for all candidates, preventing appointees from leveraging their positions for electoral gains
- Maintain Neutrality Ensure that appointees remain impartial and don’t influence the electoral process
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