Zenith Labour Party has swept the local government elections in Abia State, winning 15 of the 17 chairmanship posts, leaving the ruling Labour Party without a seat.
The Young Progressives Party recorded victories in the two remaining local government areas of the South East state – Ugwunagbo and Osisioma Ngwa.
The chairman of the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission, George Chima, made the declaration at the agency’s head office in Umuahia, Abia State capital on Saturday.
While highlighting the significance of the election, the ABSIEC boss 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 ABSIEC boss, while describing the polls as free, fair, and credible, said they successfully took place across 17 LGAs.
“I congratulate the winners and the losers too because, in any election, there must be winners and losers.
“The most important thing is that Abia has been peaceful and I want the peace to continue. I appreciate the security agencies for their support, and political parties for playing the game according to the rules, Chima said.
Earlier, the Abia State Governor Alex Otti cast his vote in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.
Otti, who arrived at his polling Unit 17, Ward 5 of the LGA with his wife Priscilla, cast his vote at about 12.45 p.m.
After casting his vote, the governor, who spoke to journalists expressed satisfaction that the exercise was going on smoothly.
He said, “Reports showed that the election was going on smoothly and peacefully across the 4062 polling units in the entire state, except for a few skirmishes in Ohafia and Obingwa Local Government Areas, which were shortly ratified by the security operatives.”
While harping on the need for good governance at the grassroots, the Abia State Governor said effective administration at the local governments is very important for our holistic development agenda of the state.
Otti advocated that Abia people should vote for credible and the right candidates that can deliver despite political platform.
“If you want to continue to enjoy the dividend of democracy and good performance, you need to vote credibility, not a political party,” the governor said.
