Enugu LGA Polls: APC Calls for Resignation of ENSIEC Boss

From Ignatius Okpara

ENUGU NIGERIA, (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Enugu State chapter of the All progressives Congress APC, has called for the immediate resignation of the chairman of the state Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) Mr. Mike Ajogu, (SAN) saying he has compromised his office.

Protesting the alleged unlawful disqualification of two of its chairmanship and 71 councillorship candidates in the November 4, local government election by ENSIEC, the State’s APC Chairman Dr. Ben Nwoye, who addressed newsmen alongside other members of the state working committee SWC, described the development as sad and unacceptable.

Nwoye, who threatened a legal action against the state electoral body, accused Ajogu, of caving into the pressure from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

The chairman, while displaying a document published by ENSIEC containing list of disqualified candidates, alleged that candidates in the party’s strongholds were mostly affected.

According to him, the chairmanship candidates of the party in Aninri and Enugu South local government areas, Barr. Uzoigwe Oleh and Hilary Okoye were respectively disqualified for no reason.

Nwoye also contended that even though ENSIEC has no right to disqualify any party’s candidate once presented by the party, and wondered why the disqualification should be sellective as no candidate of PDP in the 17 council areas and 260 electoral wards was affected.

His words: “APC once more reaffirm that ENSIEC is a creation of Section 197 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) with its powers stated in paragraph 4 part 2 of the third schedule to the constitution. The powers given to it therein does not include power to disualify any candidate.

“Now sensing the prominent presence of APC in some areas, they decided to disqualify candidates in areas where APC has comparative advantage.

“A cursory glance and to mention a few; Udi-Agbudu Ward, target Chief Sullivan Chime; Eke Ward, target Mr. Osita Okechukwu; Obinagu Ward, target National Vice Chairman South East, Emma Eneukwu; and Aguobu Owa, Eziowa Ward 2, target Barr. Joe Mamel.

“Aninri LGA, Area 7 Councillorship candidates, target Group Captain Joe Oji (rtd). The irony of it is that no single PDP person has b3n disqualified, ehich means that in judgement of ENSIEC Chairman, Mr. Ajogwu, SAN, they are all saints”.

He hinted that the party had summoned a crucial stakeholders meeting for Sunday evening to appraise the development and decide on the next line of action, noting that the party had already assembled lawyers who are critically looking at the legal options.

The Chairman added that the party’s call for the resignation of ENSIEC boss, Ajogwu was predicated on the fact that he, along other members of the commission were card carrying members of the PDP and that there was a lawsuit against him.

However, a list of qualified and disqualified candidates published by ENSIEC at the weekend showed that Ezeagu LGA has highest number of disqualified councillorship candidates of APC with 15.

Udi council Area, where the immediate past Governor of the state, Barrister Sullivan Chime, Director General , DG Voice of Nigeria VON, Mr. Osita Okechukwu; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Goeffrey Onyeama and National Vice Chairman South East of APC, Eneukwu hail from, suffered second highest disqualification of nine councillorship and one chairmanship candidates.

Enugu North and Uzo Uwani council areas followed with eight councilloship candidates each.

AFRICAN EXAMINER reports that also badly affected were; Oji River, seven; Aninri, seven; Awgu, five; Enugu South, three and Nkanu East, four, among other council areas.