LG polls: LP warms EBSIEC against compromise, rigging 

By Uchenna Okeh Abakaliki 

The Labour Party, LP, Ebonyi State chapter has, ahead of the forthcoming local government elections in the state, warned the state independent electoral commission, EBSIEC against any attempt to compromise the process, insisting that the people will resist any form of rigging.

The state chairman of the Party,  Henry Udeh made this known while briefing newsmen at the party’s state secretariat located along the Abakaliki–Enugu Expressway, Ishieke.

Udeh, announced that the Labour Party had successfully completed all requirements for participation in the local government polls and would submit its list of candidates to the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) as scheduled.

The state chairman expressed confidence in the party’s preparedness, describing the Labour Party as the only visible opposition in Ebonyi State, while calling on politicians dissatisfied with the ruling party to join the Labour Party and support what he described as a “protest vote” against bad governance.

He also commended Governor Francis Nwifuru for what he described as improved security and respect for civil liberties in the state, noting that political actors could now freely address the press without intimidation.

“We can sit here today and address the press without harassment. Under this administration, we no longer hear of people being dragged from their homes or attacked. Ebonyi people are aware of this and will not forget it,” Udeh said.

On the forthcoming elections, he warned EBSIEC against any attempt to compromise the process, insisting that the people of Ebonyi State would resist any form of rigging.

“Any attempt by EBSIEC to rig this election will be fully resisted by Ebonyi people. We are following the process and our eyes are on the ball. We are ready,” he declared.

The party also called on security agencies to provide adequate protection for its candidates and supporters during campaigns and on election day, alleging that intimidation and disruption were common tactics used against opposition parties.

Addressing questions on the lingering leadership dispute within the Labour Party at the national level, Udeh maintained that the issue had been conclusively resolved by the Supreme Court and reaffirmed by a Federal High Court judgment, which recognised Senator Nenadi Usman as the party’s National Chairman.

He added that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was already engaging with the recognised leadership, dismissing contrary claims as baseless.

The Labour Party leadership reiterated its commitment to peaceful participation in the electoral process and urged its members to remain law-abiding throughout the campaign and election period.

Responding, the state secretary, Innocent Igiri, however, issued a 48-hour ultimatum to individuals or groups occupying or laying claim to any property purported to be the party’s secretariat anywhere in the state without authorization, warning that legal action would follow after the deadline.

He declared that the Labour Party has only one recognized and legally approved secretariat in Ebonyi State, stressing that any other building being paraded as a party office was illegal and must be vacated immediately.

“We have only one headquarters and one secretariat in Ebonyi State, and that is this place. Any building, any facility, anywhere in this state bearing the name of the Labour Party secretariat must be cleaned up within 48 hours or we will take legal steps to reclaim such property,” he said.

The party leadership warned that the directive was final and aimed at restoring order and clarity ahead of the forthcoming 2026 local government elections in the state.