The Action Peoples Party (APP), Imo State Chapter, on Thursday condemned in strong terms the reported attempt to relocate electoral collation centres in some parts of Imo State, particularly the Ideato North/South Federal Constituency, and expressed serious concern over any similar development affecting the Nkwerre/Isu/Njaba/Nwangele (NINN) Federal Constituency and other electoral units in Imo State.
The APP State Chairman, Hon. Ernest Njesi, expressed the concern in a statement made available to journalists, maintaining that ‘any unilateral or poorly explained alteration to established electoral arrangements is a matter requiring urgent public clarification, transparency and strict adherence to due process.
‘Decisions affecting the electoral process of an entire constituency cannot and must not become the private affair of a few individuals. Such decisions have consequences for political parties, candidates, voters, traditional institutions, forum of Presidents-General, community leaders and ordinary citizens. They must therefore be handled openly, lawfully and with adequate consultation.
‘Of particular concern is the reported justification of insecurity for the proposed movement of the Ideato collation centre. The people of Ideato North have lived and conducted their social, economic and civic activities in their communities for generations. If insecurity is being relied upon as the basis for such a significant administrative decision, then the relevant authorities owe the public a clear explanation and verifiable evidence supporting that position.
‘We cannot allow vague claims or unexplained administrative decisions to become instruments for creating unnecessary tension among our people. Ideato North and Ideato South are communities whose people have shared relationships, traditions, markets, families and institutions long before the emergence of the present political administration. Likewise, the people of NINN have their own longstanding bonds that must not be subjected to unnecessary political tension,’ he noted.
Hon. Njesi particularly expressed the party’s concern that an ill-considered approach to electoral administration could create suspicion, mistrust and divisions among people who have historically lived as brothers and sisters.
He maintained that: ‘Imo State does not need electoral arrangements that divide its people. Imo State needs electoral institutions that unite confidence around a transparent process.’
The party therefore called on INEC and security authorities to publicly clarify the circumstances surrounding any proposed relocation of collation centres; make clear the legal and administrative basis for such decisions; provide verifiable information concerning any security assessment being relied upon; and consult relevant stakeholders before implementing changes that substantially affect an electoral constituency.
He also harped on the need to ensure that ‘no political party, candidate or individual is given an undue advantage through administrative decisions; respect INEC and the integrity of the electoral process; and avoid actions capable of creating unnecessary tension or division among neighbouring communities.’
While assuring that the APP would continue to stand for transparency, fairness, accountability and peaceful democratic participation, he called on the people of Ideato North, Ideato South, Nkwerre, Isu, Nwangele and Njaba to remain calm, vigilant and law-abiding, adding that differences concerning electoral administration should be resolved through lawful institutions and established democratic processes, not through confrontation or division.