ABUJA — ANAMBRA State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) has faulted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on its 90-day ultimatum to Governor Chris Ngige to conduct local government elections in the state, saying that the ultimatum presupposed that “the governor, and by implication the PDP, controls the commission (and) this is erroneous.”
Chairman of ANSIEC, Chief Cornel Umeh, in an Agust 23, 2004 letter to the National Chairman of the party, Chief Audu Ogbeh with reference number ANSIEC/AD/038/50, a copy of which was sent to the Deputy National Chairman (South), Alhaji Shuaibu Oyedokun, said the commission viewed such insinuations seriously as it was dangerous and capable of eroding public confidence in the nation’s democratic system.
Chief Umeh in the two-page letter entitled: “Re: PDP Ultimatum on Anambra Council Elections,” said “The attention of the Anambara State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) has been drawn to reports in some weekend newspapers credited to the National Deputy Chairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Shuaibu Oyedokun, in which he was alleged to have said the PDP had given Dr. Chris Ngige, Governor of Anambra State, a 90-day ultimatum within which to conduct Local Government elections in the state before the end of October 2004.
“The Commission views such insinuations seriously as it is dangerous and capable of eroding public confidence in our democratic system. Consequently, the Commission wishes to state as follows: “The Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) is an independent body created by law and statutorily empowered to organize and conduct Local Government elections in Anambra State.
“Giving the Governor an ultimatum within which to conduct the council polls presupposes that the Governor and by implication the PDP controls the Commission. This is erroneous.
“The Commission has already begun the processes that will culminate in the conduct of the polls and has already held two seminars to educate all registered political parties on the requirements for the elections so as to ensure that none of the parties is left behind in the scheme of things and in keeping with the resolve of the Commission to conduct free and fair elections.
“The Commission is currently on tour of Local Government Areas of the state to assess facilities on ground for the forthcoming polls and also enlighten the populace on its activities. The tour will terminate on September 2, 2004, after which the Commission will release the guidelines and date for the elections.
