Voters’ Apathy May Mar Ebonyi South Re-run, Says Public Affairs Analyst

Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki

A public affairs analyst, Mr. Sunday Obasi, has predicted that the bye-election of Ebonyi South senatorial zone in Ebonyi State maybe marred by voters apathy.

Obasi, who spoke to journalists in Abakaliki, the state capital, noted that members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were dissatisfied with the process that led to the emergence of their standard bearer, Professor Anthony Okorie-Ani.

He also said the dissatisfaction among members of the Labour Party (LP), who accused INEC of complacency in the last election and a possible intimidation from the actors of the APC-led state government may scare voters from turning out en mass to vote.

According to him, “The election maybe characterised by voters’ apathy considering the level of dissatisfaction among APC members in the processes that led to the emergency of their standard bearer, and the dissatisfaction among Labour Party members who are accusing INEC of complacency on the last election and a possible intimidation from the actors of the APC-led state government.”

Obasi stated that notwithstanding the varying degrees of the comparative advantages of the different candidates, it was obvious that Hon Linus Okorie of LP is the most experienced and most suitable candidate for the job.

He said: “I can infer authoritatively that in an atmosphere devoid of technical glitches, intimidation from the state actors, and complacency from the electoral body, Hon. Linus Okorie of LP is the sure and only alternative candidate to win the Ebonyi South senatorial district bye-election on February 3. He is likely going to defeat his opponents with wide margin.”

“Many  believed that Prof Anthony Okorie Ani, was made the anointed candidate to stand in as a placeholder for the Umahis, as Chief Austin Umahi clinching the APC Ebonyi South senatorial ticket may led to the sacking of the Minister for Works via cabinet reshuffle.

“Another school of thought has it that Prof Ani was strategically anointed by the Minster of Works to divide the people of Onicha Igboeze and weaken his political rival and the candidate of LP, Hon Linus Okorie.

“Silas Onu of the PDP is promising the people, unfortunately, PDP is currently facing defections from its members who are desperately longing to be reintegrated into the main stream APC-led state government.”