Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, Abia State chapter, has dissociated itself from the purported call by two of its members for the removal of the Chairman of the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission, ABSIEC, Professor George Chima; and the boycott of the November 2, Local Government election in the state.
CUPP in a statement by its Secretary, Hon. Joseph Ulu; and Legal Adviser, Larry Charles; said the two of its members behind the purported call, did not have the mandate of the coalition, and should be ignored.
This is as the coalition dissociated itself from any call for protest against the forthcoming Local Government election in the state, urging people to disregard the said misleading publication.
CUPP said it made no sense to call for the boycott of the council poll or removal of the ABSIEC Chairman who had not taken any action to warrant any call for his removal.
The statement read: “The attention of the Abia State chapter of the Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP has been drawn to an incoherent publication made by two political parties’ state chairmen: namely the Action Alliance; and the Allied People’s Movement for the removal of ABSIEC Chairman, Professor Chima George.
“For reference purposes, the deceitful and mendacious publication called for:
a boycott of the forthcoming Abia Local Government election and the removal of Abia Abia State independent Electoral Commission Chairman Professor Chima George, for alleged high administrative fee by ABSIEC
“The publication also called for a peaceful protest as well as threat of legal action to stop local government election.
“In view of the above, the CUPP Abia State has resolved as follows.”That the above press release was not a decision from the CUPP secretariat but a figment of the imagination of only two members of CUPP – AA and the APM .
“That those calling for the removal of ABSIEC Chairman are either suffering from plain stupidity. If not, how can a sane mind call for the removal of ABSIEC chairman who was appointed few weeks ago, and has done absolutely nothing to warrant such call?”
CUPP further argued that the demand for administrative charges by ABSIEC, was not strange nor peculiar to Abia, wondering why anybody would have issues with that.
“Payment of ABSIEC administrative fees did not start with the present administration. Rather, it has been, and with downward review of the administrative fee, CUPP makes bold to say it is the cheapest in the history of Abia local government elections.
“CUPP shall continue to support the cordial working relationship existing among ABSIEC; Governor Dr Alex Otti and the CUPP Abia State, and nobody can smear it by cheap bear-parlour publication.”
CUPP expressed confidence in the capacity of the ABSIEC Chairman to conduct free, fair and credible election in the state.
The coalition called on the security agencies to be at alert over any plot to disrupt the forthcoming council election in the state.
“CUPP has resolved not to embark on any protest or institute any legal action against ABSIEC; and hereby calls on security agents to watch out for incoherent pondering persons who are planning to truncate the peaceful conduct of council election in Abia State.”
