The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State has officially commenced its campaign ahead of the August 22 local government and councillorship elections, urging party members and supporters to embrace peaceful electioneering, grassroots mobilisation and increased voter participation.
The campaign was flagged off in Ikwo Local Government Area, where Governor Francis Nwifuru, represented by his Deputy, Patricia Obila, presented the party’s flag to the APC chairmanship candidate for Ikwo LGA, Henry Chidi Nwode, and his running mate.
Speaking at the event, Obila described the APC candidates as “tested, trusted and marketable,” urging party supporters to take the campaign to communities and markets across the local government while focusing on issues that would benefit the people.
She cautioned supporters against negative propaganda and any conduct that could threaten the peaceful conduct of the elections.
“As we present these candidates today, it is your responsibility to go into every community and market them. They are the best products in the field. Do not be distracted by negative propaganda because APC has presented competent candidates who will deliver quality leadership at the grassroots,” she said.
The Deputy Governor also commended the outgoing Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area, Barrister Sunday Nwankwo, for his contributions to peace, unity and development in the council.
She noted that the administration had laid a foundation that would support the incoming leadership in advancing development at the grassroots.
The Chairman of the occasion and former Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Martin Elechi, also appealed to political actors and supporters to conduct their campaigns peacefully and respect the constitutional rights of citizens to associate with political parties of their choice.
Elechi said political differences should not be allowed to result in intimidation, violence or attacks, urging all stakeholders to adhere to the law throughout the campaign period.
“We are not here to fight anybody. Every citizen has the constitutional right to belong to any political party. Nobody should intimidate or attack another because of political differences. Let us conduct ourselves lawfully and peacefully throughout this campaign period,” he said.
While expressing confidence in the APC’s chances at the polls, the former governor attributed the party’s prospects to the popularity of the Nwifuru administration, but warned supporters against acts capable of disrupting public peace and order.
The Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Moses Odunwa, called on party members to support the APC candidates, maintaining that the party remained united and prepared for victory.
He also encouraged eligible residents to participate actively in the electoral process.
Similarly, the member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency, Comrade Chinedu Ogah, described the flag-off as the beginning of a wider mobilisation effort across the state.
Ogah urged eligible voters to obtain and safeguard their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the August 22 council elections.
“Every vote will count. I urge our people to get their PVCs ready ahead of the August 22 council election,” he said.
The APC State Chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, expressed appreciation to the people of Ikwo for their continued support for the party, claiming that the APC enjoyed strong acceptance across the local government.
“There is no opposition here. We have come to appreciate the people of Ikwo for standing firmly with the APC,” Emegha said.
Speaking on behalf of members of the Ebonyi State Executive Council, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Ben Odoh, reaffirmed the commissioners’ support for Governor Nwifuru’s administration.
He described Ikwo as an APC stronghold, declaring that the people of the area remained united behind the governor and the party’s candidates.
“Ikwо is APC and APC is Ikwo. We are united behind Governor Nwifuru and our candidates,” Odoh said.
The Director-General of the APC Local Government Campaign Council for Ebonyi Central Senatorial District, Ambassador Franklin Ogbuewu, expressed optimism about the party’s performance in the forthcoming elections.
He declared that the party remained firmly positioned for continued political dominance in the state.
“There is no vacancy until 2031,” Ogbuewu said.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area, Barrister Sunday Nwankwo, said the decision to hold the campaign flag-off in Ikwo demonstrated the confidence the party leadership had in the people of the area.
Nwankwo attributed the APC’s popularity in the local government to the developmental initiatives of Governor Nwifuru and assured the party leadership that residents would give the APC overwhelming support at the polls.
Receiving the party’s flag, the APC chairmanship candidate for Ikwo LGA, Henry Chidi Nwode, expressed appreciation to Governor Nwifuru, the party leadership and the people of Ikwo for the confidence reposed in him.
Nwode described his emergence as a call to greater service and promised to run an inclusive, transparent and people-oriented administration if elected.
He pledged to prioritise rural infrastructure, youth and women empowerment, healthcare delivery, education, agricultural development and improved security through collaboration with traditional and community leaders.
“I deeply appreciate the confidence our governor and the APC family have reposed in me. I will not betray this trust. If elected, I will operate an open-door administration anchored on accountability, inclusiveness and service to the people,” he said.
Nwode further assured party supporters that his campaign would be taken to communities across the local government, promising to promote issue-based politics and engage directly with residents ahead of the August 22 council election.
