The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State has opened up on why the party did not participate in the Saturday local government election conducted in the State.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Mr Steve Oruruo, PDP Caretaker Committee Chairman in Ebonyi blamed the development to leadership crisis in the party.
Mr Oruruo speaking in Abakaliki stressed that the Ebonyi PDP was not happy with the situation where elections were held in the 171 wards of the 13 councils of the State and the party did not participate.
Oruruo said that he and his executive were working assiduously to bring the party back to life in Ebonyi, urging members to be more united.
“Actually, we are not happy for not fielding a candidate. Of course, you must build your house first before you will be able to nominate candidates for elections.
“It’s true that our party is facing a lot of challenges, ranging from leadership crisis and all that. I encourage our members to be focused in oneness.
“Right now, we are building a strong platform to ensure that our party is stronger and united for a better Ebonyi and Nigeria at large.
“It is not good having one party system in Ebonyi and that’s not good for democracy,” Oruruo added.
Major opposition parties in the state, including the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Labour Party, PDP among others could not field candidates for the elections.
Dr James Igwe, political analyst, alleged that the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) did not give a level playing ground for other parties to participate.
Igwe urged EBSIEC to support democratic development and ensure that they conducted an acceptable elections for the people.
Police hail conduct of Ebonyi council poll
Meanwhile, the Police Command in Ebonyi has commended the peaceful conduct of the Saturday local government election in the State.
The Commissioner of Police (CP), Mrs Augustina Ogbodo, who monitored the elections at various polling units in the state, described the conduct as peaceful.
The CP was accompanied by other heads of different security agencies in the state such as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), among others
The councils monitored by the police boss are: Abakaliki, Izzi and Ebonyi LGAs, where she expressed satisfaction with the orderly distribution of electoral materials.
The Commissioner said though voter turnout was low, but expressed happiness over the security situation during the polls.
“Yes, the elections went on smoothly, though voter turnout was low. The conduct has no adverse report.
“I appreciate Ebonyi people for the orderly and peaceful conduct of the elections,” she added.