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The Anambra State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has threatened to make Anambra State ungovernable if the Chief Willie Obiano-led government of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) fails to conduct local government elections by January 14, 2016, when the tenure of the present local government chairmen and councilors would end.
Addressing PDP members Monday at the party’s state office in Awka, the State Chairman, Prince Kenneth Emeakayi, warned that refusing to conduct of the election would only mean anarchy and an invitation to bloodshed. He said that Governor Obiano and the ruling APGA should be held responsible for any breach of the peace in the state.
Said Emeakayi: “The last local government election, in compliance with Section 7 of the 1999 constitution, was held in Anambra State on January 13, 2014 for a term of office of two years as stipulated by Sections 51(3) and 70 (3) of the Local Government Law of Anambra State, 1999 as amended.
“The two years term of office of the serving members of the local government councils in the 21 local government areas will expire on January 14, 2016, in line with the express provisions of the local government law of Anambra State 1999 as amended.
“The refusal or failure to hold election for the purpose of electing new set of council members to run the affairs of the 21 local government areas, including their finances at the expiration of two years term of office, by Governor Willie Obiano and APGA, is a breach, gross abuse and violation of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We wish to state unequivocally that the plan by Governor Obiano and APGA to appoint caretaker committees, or to elongate the tenure of office of the local government officials upon the expiration of their tenures on January 14, 2016, is not only criminal, illegal and unconstitutional, but an affront to the democratic systems and norms and the rule of law.
“This shall be met with the strongest resistance. We are fully prepared to mobilise our members and supporters to commence protest match and demonstrations starting from January 14, 2016 against the appointment of caretaker committees by Governor Obiano and we shall sustain the struggle until the right thing is done.”
•Photo shows Prince Emeakayi speaking at a PDP event.
