The announcement was made by Governor Umo Eno during a stakeholders engagement meeting organized by the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC). The governor emphasized the importance of conducting the elections this year, citing the need to avoid the continuation of caretaker committees that have been managing the local governments since the last elections in 2020.
The Akwa Ibom State government has announced that local government elections will take place on October 26, 2024. The elections, which will see the election of chairmen into the 31 local government areas and councillors for the 329 political wards, are a crucial step towards ensuring democratic governance at the grassroots level.
The election plan includes a timeline for political parties to conduct their primaries between July 22nd and August 26th, 2024, and the commencement of campaigns on August 26. The elected council chairmen are expected to be sworn in on December 7, 2024, in compliance with the state’s electoral plan.
The AKISIEC has assured political parties of a free, fair, and credible election process, with adequate security measures in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the exercise. The commission has emphasized the importance of human and material security during elections and has outlined practical measures to ensure that these are maintained before, during, and after the elections.
The scheduled local government elections in Akwa Ibom State are a crucial step towards ensuring democratic governance at the grassroots level. The state government’s commitment to conducting the elections this year is a positive development that will help to strengthen the democratic process in the state.
The upcoming local government elections in Akwa Ibom State are significant not only for the state but also for the country as a whole. They provide an opportunity for citizens to participate in the democratic process and to hold their elected representatives accountable for their actions.
