The internal political dynamics in the All Progressive Congress, APC in Imo State may be one of the reasons why the Imo State Government is planning to hold the Local Government election in July.
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Chairman of Imo State Independent Electoral Commission, ISIEC, Hon Ibebuchi Ethelbert was reported to have said in a meeting with the State Governor who was represented by his Special Adviser on Inter Party Affairs, Hon (Dr) Steve Orji and members of Inter Party Advisory Council of Nigeria, IPAC Imo State chapter at ISIEC office in Owerri that the polls will hold in July 14, 2018
This newspaper observed that thrice the Local Government election in Imo State have been postponed. Governor Okorocha had at an interactive session with Journalists at the NUJ Press Centre, Owerri last year promised that the polls would hold in September 2017. It never did. Later reports filtered in that the polls will take place in June this year.
It was gathered that the planned LGA election is suspected to be part of a grand design by the Rescue Mission Camp to get grip on the grassroots in the State following unfolding political developments in the All Progressive Congress, APC which seems not to favourable to the Governor’s camp. Online reports had alleged that it has been uneasy in the camp since the party executives were told to stay in office and seek for a waiver if they do intend to re- contest for any leadership position in the party.
Since the issue of waiver was granted to party executives at all levels to seek re- election in planned APC congresses, it has opened the scramble for the soul of the APC in Imo State between the Governor’s camp and other stakeholders in the party.
Though elected Councilors may not be delegates at APC primaries, the coming congresses in the party is believed will be a huge determinant factor that will determine who among the protagonists will be in charge of the party ahead of the APC primaries and the 2019 elections. Governor Okorocha is up against other forces in the party who are bent taking control of Imo APC.
” A hurried Local Government Election will boost the support base of the Governor’s camp. There is need to penetrate the grassroots and have considerable grip on it. That will be a huge gain for us to enable us have our political footsoldiers on ground before the general election in 2019″