Map of Abia State
By Victory Oghene
The Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) has defeated the Labour Party to win 15 out of the 17 Local Government Areas in Abia State during the local government elections held on November 2.
The Young Peoples Party claimed victory in the remaining two LGAs.
The results were announced by the Chairman of the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission, Prof. George Chima, at the commission’s headquarters in Umuahia, the state capital, on Saturday.
“We have fulfilled the duty we were inaugurated on September 5 to carry out.
“It wasn’t an easy task, but we went above and beyond to raise awareness about the election across the state,” Chima stated.
Highlighting the significance of the election, he noted, “In recent times, this commission has not conducted an election with over 12 political parties participating. This, in itself, is a milestone for the commission.”
Chima confirmed that the election took place across all 17 LGAs of the state, describing it as “free, fair, and credible.”
He added, “We have been able to complete a task that could typically take six to twelve months within a span of two months.”
The commission chairman congratulated both the winners and the opposition, emphasizing the need to maintain peace in Abia.
“In any election, there are winners and losers, but the most important thing is that Abia remains peaceful. I urge everyone to uphold this peace.”
He also expressed gratitude to security agencies for their support and commended political parties for “playing by the rules.”
NATIONAL WAVES gathered that ZLP was able to achieve this feat because of the lingering crisis in the Labour Party in the State.
The intra-party crisis that has been witnessed in the state prompted the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, to leave the party for the ZLP.
Through the governor’s quiet endorsement and strategic political consideration, the ZLP has now become the hub of politics at the third tier of government in the state.
