The All Progressive Grand Alliance national leadership has cautioned the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission against recognizing unauthorized candidates in the forthcoming Local Government election.
National Administrative Secretary, Okoro Chinedum Benedict, on Tuesday, stated that only candidates approved by the state leadership, recognized by the APGA national body, should be accepted.
Benedict emphasized that any election conducted with unapproved candidates would be considered null and void. He noted that the recent recognition of Edozie Njoku and Nuhyideed Iman as National Chairman and Secretary, respectively, by INEC, solidifies the new leadership, according to The Sun.
The APGA national leadership has been engaging with state chapters to ensure a unified approach. In Rivers State, they have paid for forms and presented candidates, but discovered that RSIEC was dealing with unauthorized individuals.
Benedict warned RSIEC against unlawful exclusion, stressing that only candidates approved by Mr. Harry, the recognized state leader, should be accepted.
The national leadership is prepared to participate in the local government election, but emphasizes the need for recognition of the authentic state leadership.
Benedict explained: “The new leadership of APGA headed by Chief Edozie Njoku, which you all know that got its recognition by INEC on the 9th of July, 2024, set up this committee. And we have been to 10 states trying to our people at the grassroots and state level that a new renaissance is here; that APGA won and not anybody in court and that everybody should come together.
“In Rivers State in particular, what we came to do is one, to let them know that there is a leadership change in the party, headed by Chief Edozie Njoku, National Chairman, and Alhaji Nuhyideed A. Iman, National Secretary.
He said: “We have paid the stage of sale of forms going by the RSIEC guidelines and timetable. We are at the stage of presentation of candidates having passed through the electoral processes to the electoral commission.
“But, most importantly is that, coming here (Rivers State), we discovered that RSIEC is dealing with the people who do not have the approval of the national leadership of the party.
“We met the Secretary (RSIEC), Mr. Douglas Chuku), and we told him vehemently that any attempt to deal with the wrong and unapproved persons, who do not represent APGA in this election (LG poll) amounts to unlawful exclusion. And the implication is the entire process becomes a jamboree.
“So, what we are saying is APGA is prepared to participate in the local government election in the state. That is what the national leadership of APGA under Chief Edozie Njoku, as National Chairman and Alhaji Nuhyideed A. Iman, National Secretary is saying. That is why we are in Rivers State.”
He stressed that recognition should be accorded to the Mr. Harry-led leadership in the state by the electoral umpire in the forthcoming council poll.
“What we are here in Rivers State is to say that any list of candidates that doesn’t have the approval and signature of Mr. Harry, who is representing the party in the state is not from APGA.”
