by Ubani Newman Ubani
Elections were held in the 17 local Government Councils of Abia State on the 21st of December 2016, to elect council chairmen and ward councillors.
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu (PhD), being an ardent believer of democratic ideals and ethos, heeded the calls of Abians during the Town Hall Meetings held in the three senatorial zones for them to elect their leaders at that level of government.
The election was not without hitches arising from paucity of funds to re-engineer Abia State Independent Electoral Commission, (ABSIEC ) to enable her carry out its statutory duties, to other preliminary uncertainties peculiar with elections.
All is now history as ABSIEC meticulously hovered the storm at last, and conducted the most peaceful, free and fair election in the history of our dear state .
One striking feature of that election was that it was conducted in line with keeping to one of the major campaign promises of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu even though it came at a time when President Mohammadu Buhari has mandated State Governments to stop appointing transition chairmen, rather they should conduct elections. Abia was not cut unawares as we had set the ball rolling here.
After President Buhari’s pronouncement, Abia has become the first State of the federation to conduct local government election.
When the whistle was blown for the campaigns, the PDP candidates went to all nooks and cronies of the State with her party faithfuls wooing voters. The result was a clean sweep in the 17 local governments areas of the State. The sterling performance of the PDP candidates in the just concluded elections may not be unconnected to the numerous visible achievements of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s administration in all the strata of our State’s live.
Abians may have concluded that since Governor Ikpeazu is doing marvelously well, the offshoot was voting for the PDP candidates, to consolidate the developmental strides of the Ikpeazu administration.
Another factor that may have aided the PDP home to victory is the caliber of candidates they fielded in for chairmanship and councilorship slots who are vibrant and intelligent youths in their prime with the energy and drive to pilot the affairs of the different local councils.
It is a known fact that youths bring change and also help to bring the needed development. Hence, the overwhelming support they enjoyed from the electorate.
The election’s outcome shows that Governor Ikpeazu is on ground even with the protracted legal tussle and distractions, the Governor and his party are the darling of the masses.
It can thus be regarded as a litmus test for the 2019 general elections in Abia state as the trend of fast development will surely continue in Abia State and Abians will continue with the tempo of supporting Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and the array of qualified candidates the PDP will feature.
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