APC Disagrees With IPAC, Says DSIEC Not Ready For Credible Council Polls In Delta

Ahead of the March 6 local government elections in Delta State, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and the main opposition party in the state, All Progressive Congress (APC) on Sunday disagreed over preparations for the polls by the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC).

While the state IPAC expressed confidence in the arrangements for elections, APC doubted the neutrality of DSIEC to conduct credible exercise.

In a letter to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and signed by Mr. Emeka Bidokwu, state chairman and Mr. Lucky Okorakpa, state secretary, IPAC stated that DSIEC’s preparations for the elections hold bright prospects of a free and fair poll.

Bidokwu said: “We are satisfied with the level of work done so far and we will continue to monitor the process and make recommendations to DSIEC on making the process more credible. So far, they are on the right track.”

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But in a swift reaction, publicity secretary of APC caretaker committee in the state, Sylvester Imonina, said the party was not bothered by the opinion of IPAC.

Imonina told our correspondent in Asaba that IPAC was not only a non-existent body in Delta State, but also an appendage of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the state government.

He said the APC was prepared to take over the political leadership of the local government areas and the wards in the forthcoming elections, noting that the party would resist every attempt to prevent a credible exercise even by DSIEC.

“First, you know some parties went to court to challenge the process. Nevertheless, everyone knows that the forthcoming election is between the PDP and the APC in this state.

“As for IPAC, their opinion is immaterial because it is not in existence in Delta State. What we have here is group of politicians who are extension of the PDP and the state government.

“As a party, the APC is very prepared to take over the governance at the local government and ward levels in the forthcoming council polls.

“We are monitoring DSIEC very closely in terms of preparation and the conduct of the polls. We will resist every attempt to derail the exercise, and ensure that only credible poll is conducted,” he stated.

Meanwhile, in the said letter to Okowa, IPAC commended the governor for his
developmental strides expressed “implicit confidence” on the governor for his “managerial ability” and liaison with all political parties irrespective of their different identities and ideologies.

They also commended Mr. Funkekeme Solomon, Senior Political Adviser to the Governor, for initiating measures that engendered a free atmosphere for political parties to express themselves unencumbered.

They said Solomon has ensured that parties in the state are consulted on major political and administrative issues, urging him to continue to strengthen the synergy between the ruling party and other parties in the state.