Labour Party Calls Anambra LG Election a Sham, Shocked to See Its Name Published Despite Boycott

The Labour Party (LP) in Anambra State has reiterated its decision not to participate in the upcoming local government elections, scheduled for September 28, 2024, labeling the entire process as a “sham” and “charade.”

In an official statement released on Saturday by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Engr. Theo Chuddy Egbe, the Labour Party accused the Anambra State Government and the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) of orchestrating a flawed and illegal electioneering process. The party emphasized that its non-participation is due to severe irregularities, which they believe violate the Electoral Act of 2022.

Despite the Labour Party’s explicit decision to boycott the election, the party was surprised to see its name and supposed candidates published for the upcoming polls. The Labour Party alleged that the state government, in collaboration with ANSIEC, attempted to impose members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as Labour Party candidates, including current and past Transition Councilors.

“This is a criminal assault on due process and a violation of the Electoral Laws of the land,” the Labour Party stated. According to the party, ANSIEC’s list of Labour Party candidates included names of APGA loyalists, further questioning the credibility of the election.

The Labour Party emphasized that it had neither sold nomination forms nor conducted any primary elections for the local government polls. They have also filed a lawsuit, suit No A/265/2024, challenging the legality of the process.

The party urged ANSIEC and the state government to cancel the scheduled election and organize a lawful and credible election that would comply with due process and the Electoral Act.

Despite the ongoing dispute, the Labour Party expressed its commitment to remain law-abiding and to pursue its case through the courts, hoping for the eventual dismantling of what it terms a “farcical” election process.