Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha may opt for the appointment of Sole Administrators to run the local governments in Imo State.
The latest move is to ensure he is a firm grip of the 27 local governments before the 2019 elections.
The Governor had during an interactive session with journalists in May said the Local government election will hold between September and October 2017. Already, he had sacked the 27 Local Government Transition Chairmen last month and a fresh list of appointees is said to have been compiled.
The new appointees may be announced any time from now.
Those favoured for appointments are mainly loyalists of the Governor, the Chief of Staff, some inner caucus members of the governor and some members of the State House of Assembly.
The new thinking that may have influenced the choice of SOLADS is to hold forte for the governor in the LGAs as he begins to execute his 2019 succession plans.
A reliable source said based on this assumption, the LGA polls may be put on hold for the SOLADS option which has become attractive in order to ensure control and harmony in the camp of the governor as it affects the APC in Imo State.
The source said “ With strong opposition put up by some powerful forces in the party in the state concerning the 2019 elections, it will be better that SOLADS that are loyal to the governor are put in place at the grassroots for further consolidation than holding elections for now”
“ We are aware of the crisis that trail LGA elections especially at the stage of party Primaries. Aspirants engage in bitter wars and this could rub off on the party”
“ There is need for uniformity in the party before we go to the election”
This website had reported last month that there has been intense lobbying by those seeking for fresh appointments as SOLADS. Most of them have besieged the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Uche Nwosu and other family members seeking to be considered.
The Governor had last month re- appointed some old appointees in his government to run the second half of his administration.