Olusegun ARIYO
The Labour Party (LP) in Ebonyi State has vowed to resist any alleged attempt by the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) to manipulate the forthcoming Local Government elections in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The party made its position known during a press conference held at its state secretariat in Abakaliki ahead of the council elections scheduled for August.
While affirming its readiness to participate fully in the polls, the LP leadership dismissed claims by EBSIEC that the party’s State Executive Council was not recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Speaking at the briefing on Tuesday, the State Chairman of the party, Chief Henry Ude, acknowledged that the process outlined by EBSIEC posed challenges but maintained that the party had fulfilled all requirements for participation.
“After all the hurdles, we were able to meet our obligations concerning participation in the forthcoming local government election.
“By tomorrow, we will be submitting our list to EBSIEC, and we hope that the campaigns and the election proper will be transparent,” Ude said.
He added that the Labour Party was fully prepared to campaign vigorously once the official timetable for campaigns was released, describing the LP as the only visible opposition in the state.
Ude also dismissed allegations questioning the authenticity of the party’s state leadership, insisting that the executive remained duly recognised by both INEC and the party’s National Secretariat.
According to him, recent judicial pronouncements, including a Supreme Court judgment and a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja earlier this year, had affirmed the current national leadership of the party and directed INEC to reflect the changes accordingly.
He further argued that EBSIEC’s continued communication with his office was proof that the state executive was duly recognised.
Also speaking, the State Secretary of the party, Comrade Innocent Igiri, warned against any alleged attempt to rig the elections, stating that such a move would be resisted by the people of Ebonyi State.
“Any attempt by EBSIEC to rig the forthcoming 2026 Local Government election in Ebonyi State will be fully resisted. We are ready, and we are following due process. Our eyes are on the ball,” Igiri said.
He added that the party had completed all processes required for participation and was confident of making significant electoral gains across several local government areas and wards.
Igiri also declared that the party operates only one recognised state secretariat and issued a 48-hour ultimatum to individuals allegedly parading themselves as party officials to desist.
The Labour Party leadership urged residents of the state to mobilise in support of the party and ensure that their votes were protected during the forthcoming elections
