Imo Advocacy for Good Governance, a human rights and advocacy group that is committed to the promotion of democratic principles and ethos as essentials tools for the enhancement of citizens’ welfare, has said that the processes, conduct and outcome of the Imo State local government election is nothing but a ploy by the Hope Uzodinma administration and the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission ISIEC and their co-travellers to inflict more pain of the already impoverished and traumatized Imo people who have never had it so bad.
The group stated this in a release signed by Apostle Hon (Dr) Ken Nwanguma and Engr Ikechukwu Opara as National Converner/Chairman, Board of Trustees and Secretary respectively.
They expressed concern that despite the mass condemnation of the 2023 election as a fraudulent exercise that negated the collective will of the people, it is disgusting that the necessary lessons were not learnt from it. Rather, the situation is getting worse by the day.
With great pains in our hearts we condemn in its entirety the shambolic exercise that took place last week in the name of local government elections conducted by the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission, (ISIEC). What took place was anything but election as the exercise ab initio was de-robed of any democratic process.
Our fears were raised when the ruling party conducting the election sent the wrong signal by failing to observe internal democracy in her choice of candidates. The hues and cries of aspirants in the All Progressives Congress (APC) who were short changed after spending hugely buying expression of interest forms, campaign exercises and gratifying party officials showed signs of what to expect in the election. APC did not conduct any primary election.
The group further said, even when it was glaring that election was not conducted, results were concocted and declared by the ruling party in the Governor’s party, the APC winner in the 27 local government councils and 305 wards in the state.
“What is more worrisome is that the actors are carrying out this with impunity.
Another dangerous dimension which bothers on criminality is the willful and deliberate action of the electoral umpire to shun its own guidelines and the electoral acts. We are not aware that there was a display of neither voters’ registers nor its revision; neither did we notice any interaction between ISIEC and the stakeholders e.g the political parties.
On the election day, very close to end of polls sensitive materials were not delivered to the booths, neither were electoral officers seen anywhere. In most of the areas monitored by the group the citizens were ignorant of any intended election and those who shared presence waited all day long and left.
Even when no elections took place results were declared and APC swept the polls all over the state. This sign posts grave danger for our democratic health. In the last five years, Gov Hope Uzodimma failed to conduct council elections for reasons best known to him. At a time he chose to do so hopes went high that Imo may be on a jolly ride to witness a new lease of live especially with the current local government autonomy. Sadly, the governor and his ISIEC dashed the hope increasing the agonies and pains of Imolites.
According to records, more than 300 billion Naira LGA funds are yet to be accounted for in a badly run council administration even as hope is still hinged on a new administration and last. We align ourselves to the group that went to court and urge the judiciary to live up to its billing by upholding the rule of law as all eyes are on her.
Local government administration in the State is dead and exists only in name. As a government close to the grassroots we can only but advocate the best for the people. We therefore call for the cancellation of the polls and creating a level playing field for all stakeholders”.
