APC Sweeps Ebonyi Local Government Elections Amid Opposition Protests

Ruling party claims all 13 council seats as PDP and APGA reject 'mono-party poll'

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has recorded a landslide victory in Ebonyi State's local government elections, winning all 13 chairmanship positions and all 171 councillorship seats across the state. The election, conducted over the weekend by the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC), saw APC candidates emerging victorious in every contested position without exception.

Among the newly elected chairmen is Mr Osborne Umahi, son of the Minister of Works, Mr David Umahi, who secured victory in Ohaozara Local Government. Other winners include Mrs Peace Agwu for Ishielu, Mr Paul Ituma for Ohaukwu, and Mr Friday Nwuhuo for Ezza North. The comprehensive list of chairmen-elect also features Mr Chinedu Mkpuma for Ezza South, Mr Chidi Nwode for Ikwo, Mr Timothy Nwachi for Afikpo North, Mr Ikechukwu Ogbofia for Onicha, Mr Michael Anyim for Ivo, Chief Simeon Onuoha for Edda, Mrs Helen Aduga for Izzi, Mr Chidiebere Alo for Abakaliki, and Mr Chibueze Odigwe for Ebonyi Local Government.

EBSIEC Chairman, Mr Patrick Enyi, who officially announced the results yesterday in Abakaliki, described the electoral process as peaceful, free, and fair. He confirmed that all APC candidates were duly returned as chairmen and councillors across all constituencies and extended his congratulations to the winners.

However, the election has been met with strong opposition from major political parties in the state. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) have rejected the entire exercise, describing it as a "mono-party poll" conducted without the genuine participation of other registered political parties.

Speaking on behalf of the PDP, State Publicity Secretary Mr Darlington Onwe strongly condemned the election, arguing that the exercise was unconstitutional and incapable of conferring legitimacy on any candidate who emerged from it. He alleged that EBSIEC and the state government deliberately failed to ensure genuine participation by all registered political parties, effectively excluding opposition parties from the process.

Onwe further claimed that the election was conducted in defiance of subsisting court judgments, though he did not provide specific details about the court rulings in question. He maintained that the electoral commission's actions amounted to a violation of democratic principles and electoral laws.

The opposition's rejection of the election results sets the stage for potential legal challenges, as the PDP and APGA may seek judicial redress to challenge the legitimacy of the newly elected council officials. This development mirrors similar controversies that have surrounded local government elections in various states across Nigeria, where opposition parties often accuse ruling parties of manipulating the electoral process to maintain political dominance.

The election outcome further consolidates the APC's stronghold in Ebonyi State, which has been a reliable base for the ruling party since the defection of former Governor David Umahi from the PDP in 2020. The victory of Mr Osborne Umahi, the minister's son, underscores the continued political influence of the Umahi family in the state's political landscape.

Local government elections in Nigeria have historically been fraught with controversies, with many stakeholders calling for reforms to ensure greater transparency and inclusiveness. The absence of opposition party participation in the Ebonyi election raises questions about the credibility of the process and the health of democracy at the grassroots level in the state.

As the newly elected chairmen and councillors prepare to assume office, they face the challenge of governing in an environment where a significant portion of the political class questions their legitimacy. The coming weeks are likely to witness further political maneuvering as opposition parties explore legal and political avenues to challenge the election results.