OPEN LETTER TO THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF AKWA IBOM STATE

Dear Sir/Madam,
Sequel to the upcoming local government election which was postponed in order for the government of the day to appoint caretaker committees to run local government administration consequently political parties in Akwa Ibom State that had before this time, started campaigning for their candidates, in line with the first timetable the commission issued, have the following reasons not to participate in the election:

1. That the PDP government aligned with the State's Electoral Commission to weaken the effort of other political parties.

2. That the PDP government, through the State's Electoral Commission should mobilize political parties to also participate in the forth coming local government election, in line with democratic tenets.

3. That political parties are withdrawing from the election, because the commission has refused to be independent and neutral from the PDP government of the state, and chooses to only be a rubber stamp, giving  ground for only the ruling party to use state funds against  other political parties in the state.

4. Political appointments into the 31 Local Government Area Councils, supposed to be shared across all political parties existing in the state, even as the caretaker committee's administration is still running now, although caretakership is unconstitutional.

5. Ineffective effort from the Electoral Commissions to strengthen political parties efforts in the last general elections, and now the grassroots election, to aid/educate voters, mostly on the electoral process, including their rights and duties, are some of the issues to tackle.

6. Ineffective encouragement of traditional rulers and religious leaders to aid and use their moral authority to curb violence at the polls, may have led to the political violence during the PDP state primary.

7. Ineffective effort from the commission to help ensure greater transparency, in relation with other political stakeholders by convening state and local-level consultations with parties, security agencies, civil society and national and international election observers and monitors, to disseminate information, discuss problems, better coordinate activities and mitigate risks of violence, are measures to be urgently addressed.

Thus,  if these issues are properly and timely considered, it will ensure  a peaceful political environment, after all, the strength, security and well-being of Akwa Ibom indigenes rest squarely on the quality of effective leadership/political representation across political parties and education provided for the citizens. Carrying all along will continue to be a great asset to many, as well as a steady source of human capital, value and therefore,  the needed tonic for the state's economic development.

For: IPAC/CNPP
Comrade Odudu Bassey
State Chairman African Renaissance Party (ARP)
Sunday Reuben Akpan
State Chairman Citizens Popular Party (CPP)
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