By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
As political parties in Akwa Ibom begin campaigns for votes in the October 5, 2024 local government council elections in the state, All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that it will sweep the state.
The Chairman of APC Local Government Campaign Committee in the state, Sen Ita Enang told journalists in Uyo on Tuesday that the Party was fully prepared with capacity to wrestle power from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Enang, who announced the official flag off of APC campaigns in the state at the Township Stadium, Ikot Ekpene on Wednesday, September 18, said that APC would through the polls showed capacity of what it can do.
According to Sen. Enang, Akwa Ibom APC is ready to put an end to the trend where the ruling party in the state wins all the seats, adding that the APC may concede a few seats to the PDP but will get the majority of the councillors and chairmanship seats.
PDP, Sen. Enang boasted can only win in some areas where APC experiences some unforeseen issues, therefore by APC’s mistake the ruling party may win.
He insisted that APC will win in all the 31 local government councils in the state because the party has more members and supporters than the rival PDP and will display its majority , strength and capacity during the forthcoming election.
He also said APC has candidates in all the seats due for the elections, but explained that those who were disqualified by the state electoral body, AKISIEC, would be replaced by the party before the elections.
Describing the forthcoming election as a test of APC strength and capacity in Akwa Ibom, stated that Akwa Ibom is APC, and it is only unfortunate that the state is controlled by PDP.
“APC will not allow PDP to carry ballot boxes and run during the elections because APC members also know what the ruling party in Akwa Ibom know.
“Though APC is not issuing threats because Gov. Eno has promised to provide a level playing ground for the election but if the playing field is not levelled, APC will also play on the unleveled field. Senator Enang said.
The APC chieftain, who expressed believe on the promise of Governor Umo Eno to provide a level playing field for the conduct of the election, however passed a vote of no confidence of the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission, AKISIEC, Mr. Aniedi Ikoiwak.
According to Sen. Enang, Mr Ikoiwak antecedents in the last local government election conducted in the state and during he tenures as Resident Electoral Commissioner in some states have caused them not to trust him to deliver a free and fair election.
He urged the electorate in the state to vote for APC, submitted that the APC controlled federal government and has taken the right step by ensuring the autonomy of local government councils and rescuing them from the claws and kidnappings of state governments.