Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has said there is no other existing political party in the state than the All Progressives Congress.
According to Umahi, the APC-led government in the state has done well to continue to endear the people to vote for it in every state election.
The governor was commenting against the backdrop of the Local Government Area election, which was held across the state, on Saturday.
Speaking after voting in Uburu, on Saturday, Umahi said, “I can say that I am quite satisfied with the report I am getting from the polling units.
“It is very peaceful, the turnout is quite impressive and the people are voting very freely for candidates of their preferences.
“There is no other political party in Ebonyi State. We have done quite well and no other political party in Ebonyi can boast of any reason anybody in Ebonyi should vote for such a party other than APC. We have performed. We have transformed the state, so Ebonyi people will not listen to promises, they are going to be listening to promises fulfilled under my administration and by the party, APC.
“I worked hard for it. Apostle Paul says I have run the race, I have kept the faith, left unto me is the crown of righteousness, and that crown of righteousness is a comprehensive victory today.
“Every election is selection; an opportunity for the people to select whoever they like and that is the definition of an election.”
Meanwhile, Saturday PUNCH observes that voters did not turn out to vote during the exercise, as most of the polling units in the state were deserted and left with staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Reacting to the development, a voter, who spoke to journalists on condition of anonymity, in Umunaga Ward, Uburu, in the Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state, said natives declined to vote because their choice candidate was denied the opportunity to contest.
“What you are seeing here today is to fulfill all righteousness. You can see that there are no voters here. The people are angry and this is because the person the masses want to represent them was denied the opportunity to do so. So, that’s why nobody is here.”
The Peoples Democratic Party Treasurer in the state, Barr Obinna Iteshi, said, “The election was shrouded in secrecy and was highly under the control and order of the governor and so, there was no way the PDP could participate in such an election. How can we be part of such an election? My brother, they know what they are doing. Don’t mind them.”
Another PDP chieftain, Chief Godwin Udeakaji, said the election was a sham, noting that “that was why in my own LGA, they came out and were begging people to vote”.
He added, “But even at that, people were going about their businesses and shun the exercise. The election can best be described as a sham and it was so done in secrecy and that was why people shun it.”
