The September 28 date for the conduct of local government election in Anambra State has set the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Labour Party (LP) in the area on a war path as both are currently fighting dirty.

The member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency and Chairman Labour Party Caucus in the National Assembly, Chief Afam Ogene, has described the development as an ambush by the state government, contending further that it is a move to frustrate other political parties from participating in the election and disenfranchising eligible voters from exercising their civic duties.

“Armed with this curious amendment, the Anambra State government has gone ahead to hurriedly fix local government elections for September 28, thereby causing unease in the state’s political ecosystem.

“With this surprising amendment, the state government has hastily announced local government elections for September 28, causing widespread fears regarding a predetermined outcome.

“The newly imposed 30-day notice period for local government elections will lead to widespread disenfranchisement at the grassroots level.

Within this truncated timeframe, it will be nearly impossible for stakeholders to conduct meaningful consultations, organise primary elections, secure funding, and prepare for the election without government’s support.”