Abia LG Polls: Zenith Labour Party Wins 15 Chairmanship Seats, Young Progressives Party Wins 2

The Zenith Labour Party, ZLP, has clinched 15 out of the 17 Local Government Areas in Abia State in the November 2, 2024, local government elections, with the Young Progressive Party, YPP, winning the remaining two LGAs. The Chairman of the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission, Prof. George Chima, announced the results of the election held on Saturday at the Commission’s Headquarters in Umuahia, the State Capital.

Professor Chima noted that for a very long time the commission has not conducted an election with over 12 political parties participating. He described the development as a milestone for the state electoral body.

Some of the electorates expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the polls and the processes leading to the elections.

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti who voted at his Unit 017, Ahiafor, Umuru-Umuehim Nvosi in Isialangwa South LGA said the reports he got from across the 17 LGAs indicated peaceful conduct of the polls.

Zenith Labour Party won in 15 out of the 17 local government areas in Abia State, while the Young Progressives Party (YPP) claimed the remaining two local government areas, Osisioma Ngwa and Ugwunagbo.

The Abia State Independent Electoral commission (ABSIEC), has declared Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) winner of 15 out of the 17 chairmanship positions in Saturday’s local government election in the state.

Declaring the results of the elections inside the ABSIEC headquarters located at Ogurube Layout, Umuahia on Saturday night, the ABSIC chairman, Prof, George Chima announced that the ZLP won chairmanship positions in 15 local governments, while Young Progressives Party (YPP), won in two local governments.

Mr. Chima disclosed that a total of 12 out of the 16 existing political parties in Abia state participated in the local government elections.

According to the ABSIEC chairman, ZLP won in Isialangwa-North, Ikwuano, Arochukwu, Isialangwa-South, Isuikwuato, Ohafia, Bende and Umunneochi LGA’s.

The rest are Obingwa, Ukwa-East, Umuahia-Norh, Ukwa-West, Aba-North, Aba-South and Umuahia- South, respectively. YPP won Osisioma and Ugwunagbo LGA’s only.

Prof. Chima described the elections as free, fair and credible . He used the forum to thank the Inter-party Advisory Council, IPAC, security agents and media for their roles in making the election successful, just as he congratulated the winners for their emergence .

He hinted that results of the councillorship elections were still being awaited and would be announced today, Sunday.

The ABSIEC boss said that the chairmanship and councillorship polls took place in the 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs). He described the exercise as “free fair and credible”.

The commission’s headquarters is in Umuahia.

Chima said: “We have carried out the duty we were inaugurated on September 5 to undertake. It was not an easy task, but we went out on our way to create awareness about the elections across the state. It must be noted that, in recent times, this commission has not conducted an election where over 12 political parties took part, this on its own is a plus to the commission.”

The Abia situation is similar to the recent scenario in Rivers State where the Action Peoples Party (APP) won in all but one of the 23 LGAs while the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) failed to win any seat in the election.

However, unlike Abia, it was crystal clear that Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who is involved in a serious battle with Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), directed his loyalists to contest the election in APP.

It is unclear if the crisis in Labour Party made Governor Alex Otti directed his supporters to contest the election on another platform. The Labour Party has been enmeshed in crisis since the buildup to the 2023 General Election, where Peter Obi, its Presidential Candidate came third.

In September, Otti’s faction took control of the party after convening a stakeholders’ meeting where Nenadi Usman, former Finance Minister, was appointed head of a 29-member caretaker committee to preside over the affairs of the party. Obi, Datti Baba-Ahmed, his running mate in the election, among other top chieftains of the party attended the meeting which held in Umuahia, showing endorsement of Usman’s leadership.

But one month later, a Federal High Court in Abuja recognised Julius Abure as the authentic chairman of Labour Party and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise him. The court presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite also affirmed the March Convention organsied by Abure’s faction in Nnewi, Anambra State. Obi, his running mate and other key members of the party shunned the convention.

Recall that the state governor, Dr. Alex Otti, though a member of the Labour Party, had formed a partnership with ZLP over the lingering leadership crisis in the party.

Meanwhile, Gov Otti and his wife, Prescilla, were seen casting their votes at their Unit 017 Ahiafor, Umuru-Umudim, Nvosi in Isialangwa-South LGA at about 12.19pm.

Speaking to newsmen after they voted, Gov Otti expressed satisfaction with the turnout of voters, while commending the orderly conduct of the elections.

He said he was monitoring the elections in all the 17 local governments, noting that reports so far show that the elections were progressing smoothly, except for some skirmishes reported at Ohafia and Obingwa. He hinted that security operatives were reported to have calmed the situation, while voting continued thereafter.

The governor renewed his earlier appeal that the electorate should not consider political parties as they vote. Rather, they should vote for candidates with competence, credibility, performance and capability. He stressed that choosing political party, as only criterion , crippled Abia state for last 23 years.

The Abia State Electoral Commission (ABSIEC) has presented Certificates of Return to the newly elected Chairmen of the 17 LGAs in the State. Presenting the Certificates of Return at the ABSIEC headquarters Umuahia, the Chairman of ABSIEC, Professor George Chima, charged the Chairmen to align themselves with the good job Governor Alex Otti is doing in the State. He said that Abia needs a holistic representation and good governance. Prof. Chima wants them to work closely with their Deputies for efficient service delivery.

The Zenith Labour Party, ZLP won 15 out of the 17 Local Government Areas in the November 2nd, 2024 local government election held in Abia state. The Young Progressives Party, YPP won two LGAs; Ugwunagbo and Osisioma Ngwa.