Ex-Guber Candidate Queries INEC’s Delay in Conducting Anambra South Senate Bye Election

By Praise Chinecherem

A 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 Anamabra South Senatorial district by-election.

Recall that Anambra South Senatorial zone has remained without a representative since July 27, 2024 when Senator Ifeanyi Ubah representing the zone passed away.

Chief Ikeotuonye who was visibly angry in an interview with few journalists in Nnewi, Anambra State noted that the absence of a serving Senator for Anambra South Senatorial zone has lead to several significant negative impacts.

He said the absence of a Senator for Anambra South in the Red Chamber at the moment has negatively affected the constituents given the importance of that position in influencing federal policy, attracting development projects, and voicing local concerns at the national level.

“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.

“Senators often lobby for federal projects like road construction, rural electrification, water projects, or educational infrastructure for their constituencies. But Anambra South has been missing out in all these.

“The absence of such advocacy results in the zone being overlooked in national planning and allocations.

“Each Senator has access to constituency funds to execute local empowerment programmes, scholarships, skill acquisition centers, and health initiatives. Without a Senator, these initiatives stall or disappear entirely, directly affecting grassroots development.

“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.

“Bills or motions the late Senator had sponsored particularly those affecting Anambra South have been abandoned and indeed have lost traction in the Senate without someone to continue pushing them forward, “he added.

He said it is regrettable that aspirants from various political parties who have expressed their interests to fill the vacancy created by Senator Ubah’s death have been busy with endless sensitization preparatory to a by-election which conduct is yet uncertain.

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.