As the race for grassroots leadership in Enugu State intensifies, political parties fielding candidates for the September 21, 2024, Local Government Council elections, Wednesday signed a Peace Accord.
The peace initiative, organized by the ActionAid Nigeria and the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), however, saw low participation, with many of the 16 parties expected to contest the elections absent, raising concerns on the integrity and credibility of the polls.
The countdown is on for Enugu State 8th Local Government election since Nigeria returned to democratic governance in 1999, and the first since the Supreme Court judgement granting financial autonomy to Local Governments in the country.
The September 21, 2024 Council elections in Enugu State is seen as a crucial moment for strengthening democratic practices at the grassroots level, as the state continues its consistent history of ensuring that elected officials handle governance at the Local Government levels.
The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has dominated the last seven Council elections in the State, will face competition from 15 other political parties in this election, according to the State’s electoral body.
At this PDP’s grand finale campaign rally on Wednesday, Governor Peter Mbah urges the electorate to fully participate in the voting exercise on Saturday.
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While the PDP rallied, the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission, ENSIEC hosted what is seen as a final stakeholders’ engagement ahead of the election.
Representatives of participating political parties signed the Peace Accord, in a ceremony overseen by the State Commissioner of Police.
At the same time, opposition parties expressed concerns about the electoral Commission’s preparedness for a credible poll, citing the absence of key players and other issues.
ait.live gathered that ENSIEC will not deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BIVAS) in the conduct of the election due to what officials say is financial constraints, but the Commission’s chairman, Professor Chris Ngwu, assures stakeholders that there’s nothing to worry.
Come this Saturday, all eyes will be on the state electoral commission and the political parties to ensure that the process is free, fair, and reflective of the people’s will, especially at a time when Local government autonomy is set to play an important role in shaping governance at the grassroots.
(Editor : Ena Agbanoma)
