Politics
Low turnout, late arrival of materials mar Enugu LG elections
…as Gov Mbah hails peaceful process
The Local Government Election in Enugu on Saturday was marred by low turnout of voters and late arrival of voting materials at various polling units and wards.
According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), there was low turnout in most wards, particularly in Igbariam Primary School Ward 7 and the Union Boys Secondary School Ward 8 respectively.
Meanwhile, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has hailed the peaceful outcome of the local government elections held on Saturday across the state, describing the exercise as the most peaceful.
Reports said there was the presence of security personnel at the wards visited even as people were going about their normal duties.
At Igbariam Primary School and Union Boys Secondary School, voting materials had not arrived as of 10 am.
A Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) agent at Ward 8 Unit 7, who spoke on condition of anonymity, attributed the low turnout to the experience of the 2023 general election.
“There is low turnout of voters as you can see, people are not coming out to vote because the last general election has discouraged everyone from coming out to cast their votes,” he said.
Also speaking at lgbariam Primary School Ward 7 Unit 2, one of the electorate, Mrs. Chika Eze said that despite security presence at the ward, only a few people turned out to cast their votes.
The roads were almost empty as there were few vehicular movements while some shops were open for businesses.
Mbah hails peaceful process
The Enugu governor while hailing the peaceful outcome of the local government elections described the exercise as the most peaceful.
The governor gave the commendation shortly after casting his vote at polling unit 007 Mbaguzo, Ashishi Owo in Nkanu East Local Government Area.
Describing the exercise as democracy in action, the governor who waited patiently for his turn in the queue to cast his vote, expressed his administration’s readiness to support those who would emerge winners irrespective of political party affiliation.
He reassured support for local government autonomy, saying that the process would help bring governance closer to the people.
Mbah said: “The exercise is very peaceful. It started on time.
”This is democracy and it is a very important exercise because we are trying to elect people who will lead our people at the grassroots.
“The local government had always operated as an autonomous arm of the government. Our mandate is to ensure that our people are lifted from the level of poverty.
“We are going to support the local government to allow their programmes.”
On the turnout of voters at his polling unit, Mbah said, “The voters’ turn out showed that people believe that the government’s decision will touch their lives.
“People are becoming increasingly aware that the government will touch their lives.
”People have resolved to choose those that will lead them. It must be done in a democratic way, and we won’t take it for granted.
“So, if it’s a democracy, we must allow it to run as a democracy. This is a level
The Labour Party (LP) has cautioned the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) against interfering in its affairs, insisting that the union has no authority to dictate the party’s direction or leadership.
The opposition party also dismissed the possibility of a merger with any political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, made this known in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday.
“While the party is not considering a merger, it remains open to collaborations aimed at strengthening its position ahead of future elections,” Ifoh stated.
The statement was in response to the NLC’s call for a rebranding of the Labour Party, which included the possibility of a merger or coalition with like-minded parties.
Following its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Yola, Adamawa State, the NLC, in a communique signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, insisted that urgent steps must be taken to reclaim the party and restore its ideological foundation.
The NLC directed its National Administrative Council to initiate processes for a restructuring, coalition, or merger that would strengthen the interests of workers within the LP.
The Labour Party and the NLC remain at odds over the union’s refusal to recognize Julius Abure as the party’s National Chairman, despite his re-election at the LP convention in Anambra
The lingering dispute underscores ongoing power struggles within the party as it seeks to position itself ahead of the next election cycle.
A fresh crisis has engulfed the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) with the suspension of its governorship candidate in the November 16 off-cycle governorship election in Ondo state, Olugbenga Edema.
Mr Edema was suspended on Monday along with his running mate, Rotimi Adeyemi, and another party chieftain, Israel Ayeni, over alleged anti-party activities.
The three men were suspended from the party at a meeting of the State Working Committee (SWC) held in Akure, the state capital.
Announcing their suspension during a press conference, the state chairman of the NNPP, Peter Olagookun, said Mr Edema and the other party chieftains were sanctioned for alleged anti-party activities.
Flanked by 12 other members of the SWC, Mr Olagookun said the men were also suspended for violating the party’s constitution.
“We, the State Working Committee of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) Ondo State Chapter, hereby announce the indefinite suspension of the following party members: Hon. Olugbenga Edema, the governorship candidate in the just concluded Ondo State governorship election; Barrister Rotimi Adeyemi, the deputy governorship candidate; and Mr. Isreal Oluwatosin Ayeni,” he said.
The chairman added that the trio were suspended on two other grounds: “suing in the name of the party without recourse to the appropriate stakeholders at both the state and national levels, according to our party constitution.
“Suing the party without exhausting internal resolution mechanisms as provided by the party’s constitution, and involving in anti-party activities.”
Peoples Gazette could not immediately get Mr Edema’s reaction as of the time of this report.
However, one of his aides, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to speak, said his principal would respond appropriately to the suspension.
“We have read the suspension letter, but Oga (Edema) will react to it when he’s ready. I’m sure those who claimed they suspended him are just jesters. He gave NNPP a name in the state. How many people knew the party in the state before the election?” he told the Gazette.
Mr Edema lost the governorship election to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Dr. Olajide Adediran, popularly known as JANDOR, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The 2023 Lagos governorship candidate made the announcement on Monday during a press conference in Ikeja, Lagos.
While he did not disclose his next political move, JANDOR assured that he would make his intentions known in the coming months.
His departure from the PDP comes with the backing of his supporters across the 20 local governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of Lagos State.
Details to follow…
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