*Assembly Screens, Confirms Appointment Of Civil Service Commission Chair, Others
By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu
Seven political parties have signed a Peace Accord Agreement for the forthcoming Enugu State Local Government Council polls scheduled for 26 September, 2026.
The political parties that signed the agreement included Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Because Of Our Tomorrow (BOOT) and National Rescue Movement (NRM).
Others are Action Democratic Party (ADP), Action Peoples Party (APP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking at the signing, Executive Chairman, Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), Prof Christian Ngwu, said that the signing was imperative to ensure political parties, candidates and supporters maintain decorum before, during and after the poll.
Represented by Commissioner (One) of ENSIEC, Dr Solomon Udeh, the Chairman noted that with the agreement, various political parties, candidates and their supporters had committed to peaceful, non violent, free and inclusive participation at the poll.
Ngwu urged them to respect other candidates and their parties, security agencies and electoral process as well as the declared results after the polls.
“Political parties, their candidates and supporters must ensure peaceful resolution of internal party matters and ensure peaceful campaigns; while party officials, agents and supporters must abide by all rules that promote transparency and credibility of the polls,” he said.
The Chairman said that the Commission would conduct a free, fair and credible poll, adding that all political parties and their candidates would be provided a level playing field.
“We are already concluding all arrangements for the poll and the Commission has put in place all necessary requirements for a hitch-free poll come Saturday, Sept. 26,” he said.
Responding, the State Chairman of APC, Dr Martin Chukwunweike, said that his party had always and would subscribe to all guidelines that promote peaceful conduct of polls.
Chukwunweike noted that the party’s campaigns and activities had been “very peaceful.”
He noted that the campaigns had been on issues that uplift people’s living standards and monumental achievements of the APC-led administration in transforming the state with modern amenities.
“As a party, APC is noted for peace and respect for rules and regulations guiding political conducts and our candidates and supporters will maintain our ever peaceful disposition in the council poll,” he said.
Also speaking, State Chairman of APGA, Mr Uche Ojielo, called on ENSIEC to ensure all political parties are carried along and duly notified on issues relating to them over the poll.
Ojielo assured that his party would abide by the signed accord and ensure that its activities before, during and after the poll remains civil.
Enugu Screens, Confirms Appointment Of Civil Service Commission Chair, Others
In a related development, the State House of Assembly has screened and confirmed the appointment of the State Civil Service Commission Chairman and its members.
The screening and confirmation took place on Monday during the plenary session at the legislative chambers of the Assembly complex, Independence Layout, Enugu.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Uche Ugwu, while confirming the appointment of the members of the Commission, noted that it was considered pursuant to Section 198 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Section 4 of the Enugu State Civil Service Commission Amendment Law Number 3 of Enugu State 2015.
The lawmakers approved and confirmed the appointment of Prof Gabriel Ajah as Chairman; Christian Mbah, Member 1; Stella Ekweremadu, Member 2; Theresa Ifeanyichukwu, Member 3; Ugonna Ogarambe, Member 4; and Ambrose Nwodo as Secretary.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Some of the political party chieftains holding copies of the signed agreement.
