AWKA—A POLITICAL group, Concerned Anambra Politicians (CAP) has asked on the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) to make public how much it realised at the four-day seminar/workshop it organized recently for politicians wishing to contest the proposed December 18, 2004 Local Government elections in the state.
In the four-day workshop, the participants were levied N30,000 and N10,000 as seminar fees for chairmanship and councillorship aspirants, respectively. The high levies was protested by some politicians who accused the ANSIEC of using the forum to swindle the politicians who have just expressed their mere wish to contest for a proposed election. ANSIEC chairman, Chief Cornel Umeh said that 860 persons from the state’s 327 Electoral Wards attended the seminar/workshop.
He did not however give details as to how many of them were aspirants for chairmanship and councillorship. ANSIEC chairman, Umeh has been attacking Vanguard for reporting last week that some aspirants protested the high fees levied on them. Umeh called a press conference where his only topic was an attack on Vanguard and its Anambra State Correspondent, Anayo Okoli, for reporting the protest of exorbitant levy. Umeh, at the press conference, abused the correspondent, calling him all manner of names and said all manner of things about Vanguard. But a group of concerned politicians has called on Umeh to publish how much was realised at the workshop and how the money is to be expended.
The group in a statement signed by Chief Ejimadu Slyvester Obi, the coordinator, who says he is a politician from Nnewi South Local Government Area, said ANSIEC has not shown “sincerity and transparency in its activities”. Obi said that he was compelled to raise money for some of his friends who are aspiring to contest the proposed election to enable them attend the workshop.
He urged ANSIEC to make public what it realised and how it will be spent, if it (ANSIEC) wants to convince the people that it is transparent in what it is doing. “We saw the workshop folders and other materials given to the participants. We also heard of the quality of food served as lunch. The question is whether they merit the huge amount levied the aspirants. Remember that these are aspirants, more money will be paid if they come out as candidates,” Obi said.
