APC rejects creation of 39 new political wards in Akwa Ibom 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom has rejected the creation of 39 new political wards by the State Independent Electoral Commission.

The party’s Publicity Secretary in the state, Mr. Nkeruwem Enyongekere, who confirmed the party’s position on the matter in a statement issued on Thursday in Uyo, described the exercise as dubious, illegal, and unilateral.

He also urged people of Akwa Ibom to disregard it.

According to Enyongekere, the Nigerian Constitution empowered only the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to create wards.

He cited the Supreme Court’s nullification of similar wards creation in Cross River to support the party’s position.

He said: “In line with the resolution of the State Working Committee issued at its meeting of July 28, 2020.

“The All Progressives Congress, Akwa Ibom State chapter, rejects in totality the dubious, unilateral and illegal creation of 39 electoral wards in the state by Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission as announced by its Chairman, Mr. Ikoiwak on Sunday, July 26, 2020.

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“The party, therefore, calls on Akwa Ibom people to disregard this illegality, as the state has no such powers to create electoral wards.

“The Constitution of the Federal Government of Nigeria vests the power of creating wards only in Independent National Electoral Commission.

“The nullification of similar wards creation by the Supreme Court when it happened in Cross River State attests to our current position.”

He expressed surprise that such an important issue of wards creation was not part of the agenda during the stakeholders’ meeting convened by AKISIEC on July 17 to discuss the upcoming local government election in the state.

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