ABIA DEC LG POLL: ABSIEC, NOA CAUTION CONTESTANTS AGAINST VIOLENCE

Reporter : LAWRENCE NWOKEDI

The Chairman Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC), Professor Nkpa Agu Nkpa, has reiterated the commission’s readiness to conduct a free, fair and credible local government election in the state.

Professor Nkpa made this known during a seminar organized by the commission for all candidates contesting for local government chairman and councillorship positions in the December local government election in the state.

He urged the candidates to always ensure that they played the game according to the laid down rules and procedures.

The ABSIEC Chairman advised the contestants not to see the election as a do or die affair but a brotherly game, which a winner must emerge.

In a lecture entitled “building a people of peace, free, fair and credible local government election” the Director National Orientation Agency (NOA) Abia State, Dr. Ngozi Okechukwu, called on the electorate not to allow desperate politians to use money to influence them but vote for the candidates of their choice.

She urged them to embrace peace always, describing it as veritable tool for progress.

Another speaker on the occasion, Mr. Bob Amanze, harped on the need for the contestants to show spirit of sportsmanship, shun electoral violence during the poll as a winner must emerge at the end of the contest.

Some of candidates in an interview commended ABSIEC for organizing the program and pledged to play the game according to the rules.

They also called on ABSIEC to ensure that they become an unbais referee in election.

Chairmanship and councillorship candidates from various political parties attended the seminar.