ABSIEC issues certificates of return to LG Chairmen-elect

The Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC), on Sunday, issued Certificates of Return to the newly elected 17 local government chairmen.

The Chairman of ABSIEC, Prof. George Chima, issued the certificates at the commission’s headquarters in Umuahia.

Supreme News reports that the Zenith Labour Party clinched 15 chairmanship positions, while the Young Progressives Party won two in Saturday’s council polls.

In a speech at the brief ceremony, Chima charged the chairmen to align their programs with the rebuilding agenda of Gov. Alex Otti’s administration.

“I wish you all success and urge you to carry out developmental projects in your various LGAs.

“We are going to be evaluating you and would be publishing the works of the most performing chairmen,” he said.

Chima urged the chairmen to work closely with their deputies because “you know the implications of changing your deputies without following due process.”.

He said that during the commission’s tour and screening process, it was observed that many people were not familiar with their specific wards or the locations of their electoral units.

“This lack of awareness could limit participation in either local governance or electoral activities,” Chima said.

He said that ABSIEC had prepared educational materials that would be displayed at the headquarters of the 17 LGAs to enlighten the people about their various LGAs.

Responding, the Chairman of Umunneochi LGA, Mr Sunday Afuruike, commended ABSIEC for conducting a free and fair election and thanked the electorate for their votes.

“My colleagues and I are poised to deliver the dividend of democracy to the people like the governor is doing,” Afuruike said.