The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State has commenced its campaign for the August 22 local government elections, with party leaders mobilising supporters for victory across the state’s 13 local government areas.
The campaign kickoff took place on Monday in Ikwo Local Government Area, where APC leaders urged residents to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the polls.
Governor Francis Nwifuru, represented by the Deputy Governor, Patricia Obila, presented the party’s flag to its Ikwo chairmanship candidate, Chidi Nwode, and charged supporters to work towards securing victory for the APC.
Nwifuru described the party’s chairmanship and councillorship candidates as “tested, trusted and marketable”, urging party members to embark on issue-based campaigns.
“We have presented these candidates to you, and it is therefore your responsibility to go into communities and make them acceptable to the people.
“They are the best products to be fielded, so do not be distracted by negative propaganda,” he said.
The governor also appealed to supporters to avoid actions that could threaten the peaceful conduct of the election.
He commended the outgoing chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area, Sunday Nwankwo, for promoting peace, unity and development during his tenure.
Former Ebonyi State Governor Martin Elechi, who chaired the occasion, urged political actors to avoid violence and respect citizens’ rights to belong to any political party of their choice.
“We are not here to fight anybody, so nobody should intimidate or attack another because of political differences,” Elechi said.
He expressed confidence that the APC would emerge victorious, citing the support enjoyed by the party and the state government.
The Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Moses Odunwa, also urged residents to support APC candidates while encouraging voters to participate peacefully in the electoral process.
Similarly, the member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency, Chinedu Ogah, described the campaign flag-off as the beginning of wider mobilisation across the state.
He urged eligible voters to collect and protect their PVCs, assuring them that every vote would count.
The APC State Chairman, Stanley Emegha, thanked Ikwo residents for their continued support for the party and expressed confidence in the party’s chances in the local government elections.
