.Suspends Isu, Orlu LGA Chairmen.
By Nkama Chioma
The All Progressives Grand Alliance Party, APGA, on Wednesday the 15th of February, 2023 at the party State Secretariat held a one day training for it’s candidates, leaders and booth agents on election day management procedures and effective use of Bimodal Voters Accreditation System, BVAS.
Speaking to Trumpeta before the commencement of the exercise , the state Party Chairman Hon. John Iwuala stated that aside the days main event another reason why this meeting was called was to enable them over lap face to face so as to x-ray their performances and strategize on a way forward by brainstorming together on areas where adjustments are needed in their various constituencies.
The Party’s state secretary, Pastor Alphonsus Eberendu who is one of the resource persons while lecturing the audience, informed members on the necessity of aligning themselves with the knowledge of activities that take place a day before the election and on election day proper.
Futhering, he mentioned that electoral success is a combination of a lot of factors which Mustn’t be neglected for there to be a peaceful election.
Eberendu advised the party to ensure they work together in synergy as well as, carefully choose their party and booth agents especially those, who can be vigilant and sensitive enough to monitor events and movements of sensitive and non-sensitive materials from Central Bank Of Nigeria, CBN, to designated Local Government Areas.
Speaking on the use of Bimodal Voters Accreditation System, BVAS, Mr Emmanuel Micheal a staff of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, explained that the gadget BVAS reads only permanent voters card which verifies the voter holding the card by using either of the following methods; finger print or facial recognition, inputting of the voters last name, use of last six digits of the VIN on the permanent voters card, PVC, or by scanning the back code behind your card to ascertain true ownership.
He explained that the essence of having all these alternatives is to ensure that no one is disenfranchised except on case of double registration.
Continuing, he hinted party faithful ,that this gadget can be used to transmit a snapshot of the result sheet at polling units to the INEC portal for public view thus, drastically reducing the abnormalities and compliants that occur during election.
In conclusion, Emmanuel mentioned that the gadget has room for displaying numbers of registered voters in that polling unit which at the end of the exercise would inform of the actual numbers of persons who cast their votes.
Indeed the training was first of it’s kind as it availed everyone the opportunity to learn and know more of the forthcoming general elections and procedures. People were listening with utmost seriousness while videoing and snapping vital points from the screen projector provided for the purpose of the training. Indeed no party have done such in the state. Kudos to the leadership of APGA in Imo State.
The party Chairman, Hon John Iwuala who reacted after the training appreciated the resource persons as he enjoined all party members especially the candidates and the booth agents to ensure that they extend this message to their various LGAs and Wards.
Trumpeta gathered that in line with the directives of the state chairman to ensure that all work in synergy for the success of the party, a motion was moved and seconded which was unanimously agreed that candidates of the party should not be left as orphans rather ,they should be given every support needed to ensure they emerge victoriously .
On this premise, it was agreed that a letter to this effect would be sent to the National leadership of APGA through the office of the state party Secretary for immediate action to be taken to support all APGA Candidates in the state.
The chairman announced to the house the immediate suspension of the Isu LGA Chairman
Chief Emeka Anoruo and Orlu LGA Chairman Mr Ernest Samuel from their respective offices over gross misconduct as he sternly asked them to return all the party’s material in their possession to their various LGA Secretaries who will in turn hand over same to the appointed acting Chairmen pending the outcome of the disciplinary committee findings and recommendations.
Based on the above therefore, their services have been withdrawn and relinquished to other persons .
Members of the disciplinary Committee are: High Chief Edison Nwadioha Chairman;
Hon Kingsley Onyewuenyi, Vice Chairman
Barr .Nebechi Ugboma, Secretary
Hon Lady Joy Nwabumere, Member
Mr Nkem Osuji, Member
Hon Uche Duru, Member
Dr Chris Dikeukwu., Member
The committee was charged to investigate amongst other issues the remote cause of the news going viral which drew the attention of the National leadership of the party that APGA in Orlu Zone adopted openly a candidate of another political party while abandoning APGA candidate as well as doing their findings diligently without fear or favour and possibly within the constitutional provisions.
In conclusion, he urged members not to relent in working for the party as it was gathered by Trumpeta that APGA has vowed not to leave any stone unturned towards ensuring that they emerge victoriously.
Highlight of the day was the Inauguration of the newly appointed and sworn-in LGA Chairmen who are as follows
Mr Augustine Amaechi. Isu LGA
Hon Evans Nnadiekwe Orlu LGA
They were asked to resume office immediately and to work effectively with the candidates of the party in their respective State, Federal and Senatorial Constituencies for victory to be achieved. They were also advised never to tamper with the already existing structures of the party as the suspension was only affecting the suspended chairmen.
The event recognized the presence of the following persons
Barr .Isaac Nwosu, State Deputy Chairman, Rt Hon .Henry Nwawuba, member representing Mbaitoli-Ikeduru Fed. Constituency and APGA candidate for Mbaitoli Ikeduru Fed Constituency, Chief Barr Canice Madukaji, APGA candidate for Owerri North State Constituency, Hon .Barr Ogueri Ehirim, Owerri Fed. Constituency Candidate, Hon .Ebere Ugo , Obowo State Constituency, Imo State House of Assembly.
Others include Hon. Kelechi Iwueze, candidate for Ehime Mbano State Constituency
Hon Patrick Azumah Senatorial Candidate for Orlu Zone, and Chief Uchenna Okike Senatorial Candidate for Okigwe Zone and host of other Candidates.
Not left out also are state officers, LGA Chairmen of APGA, DGs of various candidates and of course, some booth agents.
