Governor Eno Proposes October 26 For Local Government Election
By Emmanuel Uffot
The next Local Government Election in Akwa Ibom State will hold on October 26, if the working plan presented by Governor Umo Eno is anything to go by.
The working plan for the Local Government Election entitled ‘ Local Government Election Project Plan 2024’, was presented on June 4 to the public at the Stakeholder engagement/Consultation meeting organized by Akwa Ibom State Independent Election Commission, AKISIEC.
According to the master plan of the election forwarded by the Governor, Local Government Election, to elect Chairmen and Councillors will hold on October 26, 2024.
Parties are to conduct their Primaries between Monday July 22 – Monday August 26.
Similarly, the Governor has proposed commencement of Electioneering campaigns by all the political parties to hold, from Monday August 26 – October 24.
The Governor who was represented at the event by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Rt. Hon. Frank Archibong , said that the State could not hold Local Government elections earlier because of the period he came into Office, with plethora of Election litigation.
Archibong himself said that the Governor is a very thorough and articulate person, that he did not want to rush over an important election and in a shabby manner, hence the transition Committee to fill the gap. Archibong also said that the Governor does not want to be counted among the Governors in the country who are operating Caretaker or Transition Committee, hence his decision to conduct an election this year, despite the hard economic situation in the country.
The high point was the official presentation of Election Project Plan to the Stakeholders. According to the Governor, the plan contains all activities that would be required for proper conduct of the elections.
The event that took place at D’Angelo Hotel, Uyo, had in attendance all Political Parties, Civil Society Organistion, the Press and Security Operatives.
The presentation of the election time table with scheduled dates for primaries and election, has finally put to rest the speculations and uncertainties on when the election will hold.
Before now, state governors will appoint Transition Chairmen of the Local Government Areas, who could stay for over a year and later translate into the candidates of the party and win the election.
Invariably, appointment if Transition Chairmen has always been a licence to become elected Chairmen whenever election holds.
But it looks like all that is about to change if the efforts by the Governor in this in the past two months, are anything to go by.
It could be recalled that early last month, the Governor had sent the Bill to cover fixed Local Government Election date to the State House of Assembly.
Similarly, last month, prior to his one year anniversary in office, Governor Eno had mandated the Transition Chairmen to give their scorecards for the five months they have been in office.
Analysts, see this as a good development that will engineer development in the rural areas as against the usual window dressing.
So far, this mandate has brought that vigour from some local government transition Chairmen who are reported to be doing well.
Some of these councils are, Etinan, Uyo, Ibiono Ibom, Nsit Ubium, Mkpat Enin and Ika among others.
