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The Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) has published its final candidates list ahead of the October 5 local government elections, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) notably absent from chairmanship races in three local government areas (LGAs).
The list, signed by AKISIEC Chairman Aniedi Ikoiwak, shows that while 12 political parties are cleared to participate, the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is the only party fielding candidates for all available positions across the state’s 31 LGAs. The APC, on the other hand, has no chairmanship or vice-chairmanship candidates for Etinah, Itu, and Nsit Ubuom LGAs, and lacks candidates for the ten available councilorship seats in Udung Uko.
This development provides the PDP with a clear advantage in the upcoming elections, given that other parties also have a limited presence on the list. APC’s absence from key LGAs could heavily affect its performance at the polls.
APC chieftain Apostle Ekwere Udoh Nedd expressed disappointment, accusing AKISIEC of creating financial barriers that prevented opposition candidates from participating. Nedd claimed the commission imposed “high participation costs and short deadlines” for submission of forms, putting opposition parties at a disadvantage. He also criticized the APC leadership in Akwa Ibom for failing to support its members in meeting the commission’s requirements.
“I saw it coming and raised the alarm, but APC leaders in the state were unfeeling about the plight of our aspirants,” Nedd said, adding that the stringent requirements, including a N500,000 fee for male chairmanship candidates and proof of tax clearance, made it difficult for many APC candidates to enter the race.
He warned that the lack of APC candidates in the grassroots elections could significantly weaken the party, stating, “Without these candidates contesting and grabbing seats in this grassroots election, the party will not exist.”
