Ebonyi LG polls: Nwifuru debunks claims of voter apathy
Governor of Ebonyi state, Francis Nwifuru, has dispelled the notion that the Local Government area election in the state was marred by voter apathy.
Nwifuru who voted at Edukwu Okemini 002 polling unit of Oferekpe Agbaja, Izzi LGA at 11.15am, said voters in his ward for instance, contended with several factors such as rain and farm engagements.
The governor said that voters were therefore not required to stay at their polling units after voting due to such factors.
“The rain made many people to vote and go as you don’t expect them to stay after voting.
“This is farming season and most people who have voted have gone to their farms”.
He called on governors across the country to ensure the conduct of LGA polls at it was constitutional and the best for the councils.
“Nigeria’s constitution does not permit governors to appoint council chairmen and any law made by the House of Assembly on such is a nullity.
“I support the recent Supreme Court judgment on Local government autonomy and we are still studying aspects of the judgment we are not comfortable with.”
He described the voting process as peaceful and credible, insisting that the wishes of the electorate must prevail.
Meanwhile, immediate past governor of Ebonyi state and Minister of Works, David Umahi, has lauded governor Francis Nwifuru over the peaceful conduct of the local government elections in the state, on Saturday.
Umahi, who voted at his polling unit-013 in Onuofukwuru Umunaga Ward Uburu, in the Ohaozara Local government area of the state at about 11.45am on Saturday, expressed the confidence that all the chairmanship and councillorship candidates of his ruling All Progressives Congress would win at the polls.
He noted that the party’s anticipated victory was a result of the governor’s style of governance which according to him has endeared him to the people of the state.
He said, “I commend the governor of Ebonyi state, Francis Nwifuru, for sustaining democratic governance in the state’s Local government system.
“I am confident that the chairmanship and councillorship candidates of APC in the state will cruise to victory having regard to the governance records of the state governor, which has endeared his government to the people of the state.”
