July 24, (THEWILL) – Expectations of prospective aspirants for the Local Government chairmanship seats in Imo State can be said to be hanging in the balance, as the present administration of Sen. Hope Uzodimma is yet to announce a date for the conduct of the council polls.
Even as the November 11 gubernatorial election is just a few months away, the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) can be said to have kept its fingers crossed on the exercise.
Recall that in its stakeholders’ meeting that took place at the Imo State All Progressives Congress, APC, Secretariat, along Okigwe Road, Owerri, Chairman of the ruling party, McDonald Ebere, had informed the party faithful that sales of interest forms will begin in July 2023.
It would be remembered that Senator Hope Uzodimma had, at various meetings with the stakeholders, assured of conducting a Local Government election in the State that would be transparent, free and fair, wherein, according to him, every aspirant would be given a level-playing ground.
Also, chairmanship hopefuls contesting under the ruling party and other platforms appear to be confused over the forthcoming election as no date has been announced.
State Publicity Secretary of the Imo APC, Cajetan Duke, has assured that the exercise will hold soon, giving assurance that they are committed to ensuring democratically elected Local Government chairmen emerge after the election.
“There are technicalities that need to be worked out by the authority in charge of conducting the polls. The All Progressives Congress (APC) has a plan to conduct a free and credible election. Our position still stands,” Duke said.
The ISIEC Acting Chairman, Barr. Charles Ohiri, when contacted to speak on how prepared the Commission is for the exercise, appeared to be shying away from fielding questions about the Imo State Local Government election.
Members of the State chapters of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Arc. Emmanuel Nwachukwu, and Hon. Chioma Chinekezi, in an interview with The Statesman, said they are prepared for the council polls.
The parties’ faithful appealed to the ISIEC to choose a date for the exercise and ensure all the political parties are carried along in the scheme of things for a successful exercise.
Meanwhile, the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Imo State Chapter, has commended Sen. Hope Uzodimma on his laudable achievements and, therefore, endorsed him for a second term.
The group passed the resolution during its July 2023 meeting that took place at its Secretariat along Okigwe Road, Owerri, wherein the 27 Sole Administrators (SOLADS) with their Chairman, Hon. Willie Okolieogwo, also passed a vote of confidence on the Governor.
“We associate ourselves with the Governor’s human capital, socio-economic development programmes, numerous youth and women empowerment programmes, the mouth-watering largesse and palliatives released by the Governor,” he said.
The Imo ALGON also lauded Uzodimma for reviving and motivating the Imo State Civil Service for efficient and optimal service delivery through the release of double promotions for civil servants, and recruitment of teachers among others.
In the resolution, the group also urged the Governor to accept the appeals of the Imo people for him to run for a second term, saying, “We align with the above verifiable facts that Distinguished Sen. Uzodimma has surpassed all his predecessors as Governor of Imo State since its creation in 1976.”
The group pledged to partner with the Governor and urged him to continue to carry out the good work he has been doing since the inception of his administration.
