Subtle political activities has shifted to the hinterlands in Imo State over strong indications that the local government election will take place in December.
Governor Emeka Ihedioha’s re assurance in his October 1 independence day speech that the polls will take place as planned in December has set the stage for renewed political activities in the hinterlands.
The political climate in Imo State had ebbed after the governorship election held in March this year, which saw the PDP dominating the political landscape by winning the governorship, House of Assembly and majority of House of Representatives seats in the State.
Though the state electoral umpire, ISIEC is yet to officially announce flag off of campaigns for the polls, it’s commitment to hold the polls as scheduled has set the stage for renewed political fireworks to return to the local governments.
This newspaper observed that subtle politicking by interested aspirants within the fold of the PDP for the chairmanship seats have begun in earnest.
Interested aspirants have began consultations by reaching out to those that matter in a bid to pick the nomination of the party during primaries.
However, it was observed that most of the aspirants are relying on political kingpins and godfathers to scale through the hurdle of nomination.
Newspaper reports in Owerri had claimed that more than 100 aspirants have joined the contest mainly within the rank of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.
In some of the local governments, some of the aspirants have resorted to holding consultations and meetings in preparation for the polls.
Political kingpins are not left out in the fray as some of them have resorted to adopting preferred candidates even when ISIEC is yet to officially announce a date for the election.
If the polls hold as scheduled, it will be the first time the local government election will take place in the early days of a new administration in Imo State.
Mr.Chuks Ibegulam, a political analust said “Governor Ihedioha will be the first Governor in the State to hold a Council election barely few months in office.
“Two previous administrations in the State, that of Ikedi Ohakim and Rochas Okorocha, held local government elections when they were about to leave office.
“Ohakim held the polls in August 2010, less than a year to the end of his administration, while Rochas Okorocha organized LG election barely six months to the end of his tenure
“Governor Ihedioha will be setting am impressive record if the election takes place in December, seven months after he was sworn in as Governor
“This will not only reinforce his pledge to fully democratize the local governments in the State but set a new precedent when it comes to holding local government elections in the State
