By Jonathan Ugbal
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State has described the release of elections timetable by the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC) as a ploy to divert attention and save face from an “embarrassing judgment.”
In a statement issued by the State Publicity Secretary, Mens Ikpeme Tuesday in Calabar, the APC alleged that CROSIEC’s release of a timetable for the local government elections was more of a “damage control” and a move “in fear of being sanctioned for its inability to conduct 2016 local government polls as required by the CROSIEC law.”
The APC described the act as one of the “unnecessary maneuvers of the PDP – led government do hurt the ability of the electorate to perform and understand their civic responsibility effectively.”
“Only a clear plan to exclude the PDP-led government’s mischievous move can give a clear electoral process in the State” the APC said.
It accused CROSIEC of acting the script of the Peoples Democratic Party noting that: “(the) move of releasing election guidelines/timetable is a ploy to divert attention of the APC’s genuine intentions to adhere strictly to rule of law. APC as a political party is 100% in support of conducting local government elections when due as was the case in 2010/2013.”
“In continuation of the PDP mischievous manipulations did not specify were councillorship and chairmanship election results will be announced in any copy of their fictitious guidelines” the APC said.
The statement also called for a “proper local government polls in a bid to rid the State of the wrong political influence.”
However, the party averred that it is “ever ready for June 17th 2017 polls if so desired by a competent court of law.”
As at press time, the CROSIEC Chairman, Dr. Mike Ushie could not be reached for comments.
Leave feedback about this