IPAC kicks as Anambra plans tenure extension for council bosses

THE Anambra State chapter of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) made up of chairmen of various political parties in the state is presently on a warpath with Governor Willie Obiano over his plans to extend the tenure of chairmen and councilors of the 21 local councils in the state.

Going by the amended Local Government and Allied Matters law of Anambra State, the tenure of the present crop of chairmen and councilors is expected to expire on January 27, 2016; exactly two years after former Governor, Peter Obi, inaugurated them.

However instead of making plans to organize fresh elections of new chairmen and councilors to succeed the incumbents, the state government is believed to be toying with the idea of setting up caretaker committees in place of elected ones.

But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a socio-political group, Anambra State Solidarity Association (ASSA) raised objections to “attempts by the state government to return to the path of undemocratic culture in the constitution of local government councils.”

In separate press conferences addressed by the PDP state chairman, Prince Ken Emeakayi and leader of ASSA, Ozo Gidigbam Gidigbam, Austin Ndigwe; the government was warned not to tinker with the idea of setting up of caretaker committees, noting that they would employ all lawful methods to challenge it.

Recently, owing to the nullification of the election of Senator Uche Ekwunife as the winner of Anambra Central Senatorial district, following the petition filed by the erstwhile national chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, Victor Umeh; Governor Obiano is said to have perfected plans to extend the tenure of chairmen and councilors.

Investigation by The Guardian revealed that the move by Obiano was ostensibly to escape the wrath of political parties and ASSA and above all, retain the elected council chairmen and councilors in office to assist in prosecuting the electoral challenge of Umeh at the senatorial rerun election ordered by the Court of Appeal.

It was gathered that already, members of the State House of Assembly have been summoned to an urgent meeting with the governor to smoothen the formalities for extending the tenure of council chairmen and councilors, most of who were given tickets by Umeh during his stint as APGA chairman.

But IPAC has threatened to drag the governor, the State Attorney General and House of Assembly to court saying that it would not condone the unconstitutional tenure elongation of elected council chairmen and councilors.

In an interaction with The Guardian on the development, the state chairman of IPAC, Mr. Sam Oraegbunam, noted that being a constitutional office, IPAC would not sit back and watch the government reciprocate political favours with the local government system adding that only election should be used to replace the present occupants.