Abayomi Susan
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State has commenced its campaign ahead of the August 22 local government and councillorship elections, with party leaders urging peaceful electioneering, strong grassroots mobilisation and increased voter participation across the state.
The campaign kickoff, which took place in Ikwo Local Government Area, marked the official presentation of the party’s flag to the APC chairmanship candidate for Ikwo LGA, Henry Chidi Nwode, and his running mate by the state government.
Governor Francis Nwifuru, represented by the Deputy Governor, Patricia Obila, formally handed over the party flag to the candidates, signalling the beginning of campaigns across Ebonyi’s 13 local government areas and 171 wards.
Obila described the APC candidates as “tested, trusted and marketable,” urging party supporters to focus on issue-based campaigns and avoid actions capable of threatening the peaceful conduct of the elections.
She charged supporters to take the party’s message to communities and markets, stressing that the APC had presented competent candidates capable of providing effective leadership at the grassroots level.
The Deputy Governor also commended the outgoing Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area, Barrister Sunday Nwankwo, for promoting peace, unity and development during his tenure, noting that his administration had created a strong foundation for the incoming leadership.
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion and former Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Martin Elechi, called on political actors to conduct their campaigns peacefully, stressing that political competition should not be viewed as hostility.
Elechi reminded citizens that the constitution guarantees individuals the right to belong to political parties of their choice, warning against intimidation, violence or attacks arising from political differences.
He expressed confidence in the APC’s chances of success, attributing the party’s strength to the support enjoyed by Governor Nwifuru’s administration, while urging supporters to remain law-abiding throughout the campaign period.
The Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Moses Odunwa, urged APC members to rally behind the party’s candidates, describing the party as united and prepared for victory.
He encouraged residents to maintain peace before, during and after the elections, while calling on eligible voters to actively participate in the electoral process.
The member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency, Comrade Chinedu Ogah, described the flag-off as the beginning of statewide mobilisation and urged residents to obtain and safeguard their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
Ogah said every vote would be important in determining the outcome of the council elections, adding that the exercise also represented preparation for future electoral contests.
The APC State Chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, appreciated the people of Ikwo for their continued support for the party, expressing confidence in the party’s acceptance across the local government.
He described Ikwo as a strong base of the APC and expressed optimism that the party would record victory in the forthcoming election.
Also speaking, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Ben Odoh, who spoke on behalf of members of the State Executive Council, reaffirmed their support for Governor Nwifuru’s administration and described Ikwo as a stronghold of the APC.
The Director-General of the APC Local Government Campaign Council for Ebonyi Central Senatorial District, Ambassador Franklin Ogbuewu, expressed confidence that Governor Nwifuru would continue to enjoy the support of the people of the state.
The Executive Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area, Barrister Sunday Nwankwo, said the choice of Ikwo as the venue for the campaign flag-off reflected the confidence placed in the people of the area.
He said the achievements of Governor Nwifuru’s administration had strengthened the APC’s popularity, assuring that Ikwo residents would deliver strong support for the party in the council election and future polls.
Receiving the party flag, APC chairmanship candidate for Ikwo LGA, Henry Chidi Nwode, expressed appreciation to Governor Nwifuru, the party leadership and the people of Ikwo for the confidence placed in him.
Nwode described his emergence as an opportunity to serve and pledged to run an inclusive, transparent and people-oriented administration if elected.
He promised to prioritise rural infrastructure development, youth and women empowerment, quality healthcare, education, agricultural growth and improved security through collaboration with community leaders.
He further assured residents that his administration would operate an open-door policy anchored on accountability, inclusiveness and equal opportunities for all communities within Ikwo Local Government Area.
Nwode also promised to embark on an extensive grassroots campaign focused on issues affecting the people, expressing confidence that the APC would achieve a decisive victory in the August 22 council elections.
