The Anambra State chapter of the Labour Party (LP) has officially announced its decision not to participate in the local government council elections scheduled for September 28, 2024. This announcement comes amidst confusion caused by a list released by the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC), which included names allegedly representing the Labour Party in the Anambra East Local Government Area.
In a formal statement issued by Hon. Chinwuba Chidi, the Chairman of the Labour Party for Anambra East Local Government Council, and Hon. Aghadiuno Onyeka, the Secretary of the Labour Party in the same area, the party has clarified its stance. The statement urges the public to disregard the list published by ANSIEC, which includes names purportedly associated with the Labour Party in Anambra East. According to the Labour Party, this list does not reflect their official candidates or nominees.
The Labour Party has emphasized that the list in question was not created or approved by them. They have not conducted any primary elections or submitted any names for consideration to the electoral commission. This discrepancy has led the party to assert that the list is unauthorized and misleading.
The statement further calls on ANSIEC to remove the Labour Party’s name from the list of candidates. Failure to do so, the party warns, will result in legal action against the electoral commission. The Labour Party describes the inclusion of their name on the list as an attempt by certain individuals to involve parties in an election process they deem compromised. They accuse these individuals of trying to deceive the public and mislead voters in Anambra East and the broader Anambra State.
“The Labour Party Anambra East Local Government Area Chapter wishes to make it clear that we are not participating in the local government election set for September 28, 2024,” the statement reads. “The official leadership of the Labour Party Anambra State has confirmed that we are not involved in this election and have not nominated any candidates.”
The statement continues, “We want to alert the public to ignore the list published by ANSIEC, as it includes names that do not represent our party. We have not conducted primaries or submitted names to ANSIEC. Anyone who interacts with the individuals on this list does so at their own risk, and the Labour Party Anambra East LGA will not be held responsible for any resulting issues.”
The Labour Party also expresses concern about the integrity of the election process, noting that they are currently challenging the process in court. The statement concludes by reinforcing the party’s position: “We will not be participating in this election, and we advise the public to be cautious of these misleading actions.”
The Labour Party has made it clear that it is not involved in the upcoming local government elections and is taking steps to address the misrepresentation of its candidates.