BY: CAJETHAN IKE
There is tension among Chairmen of Interim Management Commitees of the 27 Local Governments in Imo State.
This is so because their days in the Council will soon be over as the State Independent Electoral Commission, ISIEC, is expected to release next month time table and guidelines for the conduct of local government elections.
Imo State Governor, Hon.Emeka Ihedioha, has not hidden his desire to democratize the Local governments in the State as soon as possible.
He had re constituted the State Electoral umpire in June with marching orders to them to hold Council polls in December 2019.
With the month of September nearing to an end, the Interim Council Chairmen realising that their time frame in office will soon be over have intensified lobbying seeking for an extension.
They were inaugurated in June in interim capacity to run the affairs of the Councils for six months.
This newspaper gathered that the Council Chairmen are also demanding for time to enable them complete some of the projects, policies and programmes they kick started.
A source who is in the know of the moves of the Interim Chairmen said “They have tasted the sweet honey and are finding it difficult to leave.
“They want an extension on the grounds that six months is not enough time
for any public office holder elected or appointed to do anything in office”
This newspaper however gathered that with the pace and determination ISIEC has shown towards holding the polls in December, it may be difficult to postpone the election.
The Commission had commenced review of delineation of every local government into electoral wards in July which signposts it’s readiness for the elections.
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