The Ebonyi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially commenced its campaign ahead of the August 22 Local Government Area elections, with party leaders calling for strong grassroots engagement and voter mobilisation across the state.
The campaign flag-off took place in Ikwo Local Government Area, where APC stakeholders gathered to rally support for the party’s candidates and outline strategies aimed at securing victory in the forthcoming council polls.
During the event, party leaders from Ikwo and other parts of Ebonyi stressed the importance of encouraging eligible residents to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). They noted that increased voter participation would be crucial to achieving success across the state’s 13 local government areas and 171 wards.
Governor Francis Nwifuru, who officially presented the party’s flag to the APC chairmanship candidate for Ikwo LGA, Mr Chidi Nwode, called on party members to remain united and committed to delivering victory for the party.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Mrs Patricia Obila, the governor described the party’s chairmanship and councillorship candidates as individuals with proven experience, credibility and strong public acceptance.
Nwifuru urged supporters to focus their campaigns on issues that directly affect the people and avoid any actions that could disrupt the peaceful atmosphere of the election.
He charged party members to take the message of the candidates to communities across the state, explaining that the responsibility of convincing voters rested on their ability to engage positively with residents.
The governor also advised supporters not to be distracted by criticism or negative campaigns, insisting that the party’s candidates were selected based on their capacity to serve the people effectively.
He praised the outgoing chairman of Ikwo LGA, Mr Sunday Nwankwo, for his contributions towards maintaining peace, promoting unity and advancing development within the council area. He added that the administration had created a strong foundation for the incoming leadership.
Former Ebonyi State Governor and chairman of the occasion, Chief Martin Elechi, urged politicians to conduct their campaigns peacefully and avoid turning the electoral process into a platform for conflict.
Elechi encouraged all political actors to respect citizens’ freedom to support any party of their choice, stressing that political differences should not lead to hostility or intimidation.
He expressed confidence that the APC would perform strongly at the polls due to what he described as the people’s confidence in the current administration.
The Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Chief Moses Odunwa, also appealed to residents to maintain peace throughout the electoral period. He encouraged eligible voters to participate actively and support the party’s candidates at all levels.
The lawmaker representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Chief Chinedu Ogah, described the campaign launch as the beginning of a wider mobilisation exercise across Ebonyi.
Ogah urged voters to register, collect and protect their PVCs ahead of the election, assuring them that every ballot cast would be recognised and counted.
The APC State Chairman, Chief Stanley Emegha, appreciated the people of Ikwo for their continued support and loyalty to the party, saying the turnout reflected the growing acceptance of the APC across the state.
