The Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission has said that only the All Progressives Grand Alliance and the Young Progressives Party will participate in the August 29 local government elections in the state.
- +Anambra LG poll: Only APGA, YPP to contest in August — Electoral commission
The ANSIEC Commissioner in charge of Information and Publicity, Anthony Chinedu, disclosed this in an interview with journalists in Awka on Friday, noting that the commission had commenced necessary preparations to ensure a credible poll.
The ANSIEC Commissioner in charge of Information and Publicity, Anthony Chinedu, disclosed this in an interview with journalists in Awka on Friday, noting that the commission had commenced necessary preparations to ensure a credible poll.
Chinedu said the commission had earlier released the timetable and guidelines for the elections in September 2025, providing equal opportunity for all registered political parties to participate.
“The commission released election timetable and schedule of activities for the 2026 LGA elections in September 2025. It was done with open floor for all political parties in the state to participate.
“But accidentally, only APGA and YPP participated, while other political parties did not, till the time given for the primaries expired,” he said.
He queried the absence of other political parties in the process, insisting that those who failed to present candidates had no one to blame.
“If you believe that you are a registered political party and you have the followers, why did you not venture into the electoral process. Who is to be blamed? So, as it were, only APGA and YPP are fielding candidates for the August 29 elections,” he stated.
The commissioner assured residents that the exercise would be free, fair and credible, stressing that the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, would not interfere in the electoral process.
“As far as we are concerned, we are not envisaging any challenge because, as I said earlier, the election is going to be free, fair and credible.
“Anybody who wins the election will be declared the true winner by the Commission. If it is YPP fine, if it is APGA fine,” he said.
Chinedu also disclosed that the commission had begun arrangements for both sensitive and non-sensitive materials needed for the conduct of the election.
He, however, expressed concern over the growing level of voter apathy in the state, urging residents to participate actively in the electoral process.
“You see, people don’t understand what it means to go out and vote. Somebody will just say that he didn’t like what the government is doing, for that he wouldn’t vote.
“I always tell people that it is wrong, when you refuse to go and vote, you are indirectly given your approval for wrong people to take over the government, it is as simple as that,” he added.
He advised eligible voters to shun apathy and use the ballot to express dissatisfaction with governance rather than boycotting elections.
The PUNCH reports that APGA won all chairmanship and councillorship positions in the September 28, 2024 local government elections in the state.
