The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State has officially launched its campaign for the August 22 local government and councillorship elections, calling on party members and supporters to embrace peaceful campaigns, intensify grassroots mobilisation and encourage eligible voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the polls.
The campaign was flagged off in Ikwo Local Government Area, where Governor Francis Nwifuru, represented by Deputy Governor Patricia Obila, presented the APC flag to the party’s chairmanship candidate for Ikwo LGA, Henry Chidi Nwode, and his running mate.
Speaking at the event, Obila described the APC candidates as credible and capable leaders, urging supporters to focus on issue-based campaigns and avoid violence or actions that could threaten the peaceful conduct of the election.
“As we present these candidates today, it is your responsibility to go into every community and market them. They are the best products in the field. Do not be distracted by negative propaganda because APC has presented competent candidates who will deliver quality leadership at the grassroots,” she said.
The deputy governor also commended the outgoing Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area, Barrister Sunday Nwankwo, for promoting peace, unity and development during his tenure, noting that his administration had laid a solid foundation for the incoming leadership.
Former Ebonyi State Governor Chief Martin Elechi, who chaired the occasion, urged political parties and their supporters to conduct their campaigns peacefully and respect the constitutional rights of every Nigerian to belong to any political party of their choice.
“We are not here to fight anybody. Every citizen has the constitutional right to belong to any political party. Nobody should intimidate or attack another because of political differences. Let us conduct ourselves lawfully and peacefully throughout this campaign period,” Elechi said.
While expressing confidence in the APC’s chances of winning the election, Elechi attributed the party’s growing popularity to Governor Nwifuru’s administration but cautioned supporters against violence and acts capable of disrupting public order.
The Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Moses Odunwa, also appealed to party members to remain united and work together to ensure victory for APC candidates while encouraging residents to participate actively in the election.
Similarly, the lawmaker representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency, Comrade Chinedu Ogah, described the campaign launch as the beginning of wider political mobilisation across the state and urged eligible voters to obtain and safeguard their PVCs.
“Every vote will count. I urge our people to get their PVCs ready ahead of the August 22 council election,” Ogah said.
The APC State Chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, thanked residents of Ikwo for their continued support, insisting that the party remained dominant in the area.
“There is no opposition here. We have come to appreciate the people of Ikwo for standing firmly with the APC,” Emegha stated.
Also speaking, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Ben Odoh, reaffirmed the commitment of members of the State Executive Council to Governor Nwifuru’s administration, describing Ikwo as a stronghold of the APC.
“Ikwo is APC and APC is Ikwo. We are united behind Governor Nwifuru and our candidates,” Odoh declared.
The Director-General of the APC Local Government Campaign Council for Ebonyi Central Senatorial District, Ambassador Franklin Ogbuewu, also expressed optimism about the party’s chances, declaring that there would be “no vacancy until 2031.”
Receiving the party’s flag, the APC chairmanship candidate for Ikwo LGA, Henry Chidi Nwode, thanked Governor Nwifuru, the party leadership and the people of Ikwo for the confidence reposed in him.
He described his emergence as an opportunity to serve the people and promised to run an open, transparent and inclusive administration if elected.
“I deeply appreciate the confidence our governor and the APC family have reposed in me. I will not betray this trust. If elected, I will operate an open-door administration anchored on accountability, inclusiveness and service to the people,” Nwode said.
He also pledged to prioritise rural infrastructure, youth and women empowerment, healthcare, education, agriculture and community security while promising to embark on vigorous grassroots campaigns ahead of the August 22 local government election.
