* BY TONY ABBAH*
The planned Local Government election in Imo State may witness some hiccups from some major political parties in the State.
There are strong indications that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the State may boycott the election. The party in recent times has not showed any willingness and indication to participate in the polls expected to hold in July.
The PDP has remained a fierce opposition to the governing APC in Imo State. The party had consistently fumed over the Local Government election in the State. A top source in the party who spoke to this newspaper on condition of anonymity said the PDP will not field aspirants for the election on the grounds that the Okorocha administration unlawfully sacked 27 duly elected local government Chairmen when he assumed office in 2011.
The sacked 27 LGA Chairmen are members of the PDP who had dragged Okorocha to court to challenge his decision. Despite a subsisting court order which reinstated the Council bosses, the State government refused to obey the Court Order and has since then appointed Transition Committee Chairmen in running the affairs of the local governments.
In the All Progressive Congress, APC which has been factionalized recently, most of the aspirants are in dilemma wondering which faction of the party is legitimate to sell nomination forms for them and at the same time conduct primaries to elect or select party candidates.
A Chairmanship aspirant from Orlu Zone who pleaded anonymity said ” We are a little bit confused. There are parallel State Executives in Imo APC. If we buy forms from the wrong executives and we eventually win at the election, our victory may be challenged by the opposition and our victory will be nullified by a court of law.
“I believe that for now, the Hilary Eke led Executives is the legitimate one based on the fact they were elected at congresses which was certified by the party leadership. Until the congresses are voided, Eke is the authentic Chairman of the party and he should sell forms to us and conduct primaries for aspirants” he said
Despite the conclusion of congresses which returned Hilary Eke as State Chairman, a parallel executive led by Mr. Chris Oguoma constituted by the State Governor has been selling nomination forms to aspirants and has promised to hold primaries to select candidates.
