If the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission’s results announcement on Saturday are anything to go by, it’s clear that the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) has made a strong showing in the just-concluded local government elections. The party emerged victorious in 15 out of the 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state, with the Young Peoples Party (YPP) claiming the remaining two.
Prof. George Chima, Chairman of the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission, made the announcement at the commission’s headquarters in Umuahia, the state capital. According to him, the election was a testament to the commission’s determination to get the job done. “We have fulfilled the duty we were inaugurated to carry out and have gone above and beyond to raise awareness about the election across the state,” he said.
Chima noted that the election’s significance lay in the number of political parties that participated – a staggering 12, a milestone for the commission. “This is the first time we’ve had so many political parties on the ballot. It was a challenging but rewarding experience for all of us,” he said.
The election, which took place across all 17 LGAs, was described by Chima as “free, fair, and credible.” He expressed his pride at having completed the task in record time, stating that it usually takes six to 12 months to accomplish what his commission achieved in just two months.
In the aftermath of the election, Chima extended congratulatory messages to both the winners and the opposition, emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace in Abia State. “While there are winners and losers in every election, the most crucial thing is that Abia remains peaceful. I urge everyone to upkeep this peace,” he said.
Chima also thanked the security agencies for their support and commended the political parties for “playing by the rules.” His message was one of hope and unity, as Abia moves forward in the wake of these elections.
