Abia State Elders Consultative Forum has advised the outgoing Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu, against pushing ahead with the proposed Local Government election before the expiration of his tenure on May 29.

The forum argued that conducting a fresh council poll 10 days before the expiration of the tenure of the current administration “is suspicious and amounts to a waste of scarce resources.”

This is coming on the heels of a court injunction restraining the outgoing Government from conducting the proposed fresh council poll scheduled for May 19.

The Elders’ forum in a press statement jointly signed by its National President,

His Grace, Archbishop Professor Princewill Ariwodor; and National Secretary, the Rev. Dr Joseph Adiele, advised Ikpeazu to allow the incoming administration to conduct the new council election due to time constraints.

The forum which commended Gov Ikpeazu for conducting council polls twice since he came to power, urged him to avoid any act capable of plunging the state into crisis or setting the incoming administration against winners of the proposed poll.

It read in part;”you are a true democrat having conducted two Local Government elections during your tenures. It is an eloquent testimony of your democratic spirit, but conducting another Local Government election in 10 days before your handover is not only laying land mines against Dr Otti’s incoming administration, but can be viewed as counter-productive, suspicious, and mischievous.

“Abia State Elders are not in support of the Local Government elections planned for May 19, 2023, the twilight of your outgoing Administration. This is because it is ill-advised, ill-timed and smacks of bad faith to say the least; a waste of the scarce resources Abia State is grappling with.

“Such a move, if encouraged or supported will earn more debts and liabilities to the incoming administration when salaries, gratuities and pensions are owed up to 40 months!” it said.

The forum expressed concern that the incoming administration might not recognize the outcome of the proposed council poll, hence the need to avoid unnecessary brouhaha.

“Going by available records, the new Administration will disband those you have elected as Councilors’ which will spur acrimony and face-off with State Government, leading to lawsuits that will polarize the state and deny peace and stability. “

The elders, however, commended Ikpeazu for congratulating the Governor-elect, Dr Alex Otti, and for urging losers not to resort to litigations to avoid distracting the in-coming Governor. (Vanguard)

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