By Okey Maduforo Awka
Frontline contender for the Anambra South Senatorial District bye election and Chairman Seahorse Lubricant ltd Chief Ebuka Onunkwo has expressed confidence that the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC would conduct free fair and transparent electoral process.
Onunkwo who spoke to reporters in Awka Anambra state capital noted that though there has clamor for the conduct of the election the electoral body would not fail the people of the District in ensuring that the vacant seat at the Red Chambers is filled .
“I wish to urge our people to remain calm as we have confidence in the electoral body and the Commission has already confirmed that the Senate has written officially to INEC and very soon the Commission would commence the process” he said.
Onunkwo further expressed strong belief that he would surely emerge as the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA noting that the people of the Senatorial District already know who their candidate is and one that would guarantee populist and effective representation at the National Assembly.
This is coming as the former governorship
candidate of the Africa Liberation Party (ALP), Chief Imoyeto Ikeotuonye has queried why the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not come up with the guidelines for the conduct of Anambra South Senatorial district by-election.
“Without a serving Senator, the zone is not actively represented in legislative debates and decisions that could directly affect them. These include budgeting, infrastructure, education, and security.
“As it is now, Anambra South Senatorial zone experiences a decline in political relevance at the national level, especially during high-stakes decisions affecting the South East or Nigeria as a whole.
“This affects not only resource allocation but also political appointments in the zone, “Chief Ikeotuonye articulated.
He explained that Senators often play key roles during crises such as communal clashes, boundary disputes, or civil unrest, mediating and attracting attention for intervention.
According to him, the absence of such leadership, conflicts might escalate or remain unresolved longer than expected.
“The lack of an immediate replacement after the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah has created a serious vacuum and slowed down political mobilization in the zone.
He noted that the situation is not in the best interest of the people of Anambra South and the State in general.
Chief Ikeotuonye called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to do the needful.
He said the electoral body should conduct the by-election without further delay to close the gap that has been created and reduce the hardship the constituents experience in Anambra South as a result of loss of political representation in the National Assembly.
