The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State has expressed disappointment over its inability to participate in the local government elections held on Saturday, citing internal leadership crises as the root cause.
Mr. Steve Oruruo, Chairman of the PDP Caretaker Committee in the state, conveyed the party’s dissatisfaction to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki. He acknowledged the challenges the party faces and emphasized the need for unity among its members to revive its presence in Ebonyi.
“We are indeed unhappy about not fielding candidates. First and foremost, we need to stabilize our party internally before we can effectively engage in electoral processes,” Oruruo stated. “Our party is currently grappling with leadership crises and other internal issues. I urge our members to remain focused and united.”
Oruruo underscored ongoing efforts to strengthen the party’s foundation, aiming for a cohesive and robust platform that can contribute positively to Ebonyi State and Nigeria as a whole. He also expressed concern over the dominance of a single-party system in Ebonyi, highlighting the potential drawbacks to democratic principles.
Meanwhile, several opposition parties in the state, including the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Labour Party, and PDP, were unable to field candidates for the elections. This situation has raised questions about the fairness of the electoral process, with accusations that the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) did not provide an equitable environment for all parties to participate.
Dr. James Igwe, a political analyst, urged EBSIEC to uphold democratic standards and ensure transparent and inclusive elections that meet the expectations of the electorate. His remarks reflect broader concerns about the electoral landscape in Ebonyi and the need for impartiality in conducting future elections.
