Further revelations came up last week why the Imo State Independent National Electoral Commission, ISIEC, deferred holding the local government election in Imo State scheduled for December, 2019 to an unknown date.
Credible sources told this newspaper that ISIEC may hold the polls in March, 2020 “ if all things be equal”
Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha, had last Sunday during a parley with journalists, said questions pertaining to the conduct of the LGA election should be directed to ISIEC.
Till date, no official reason has been given why the State electoral umpire is yet to say why the polls will not hold next month.
Some ISIEC officials approached for comments by this newspaper refused to speak on the matter.
But it was gathered that many factors including pressure from the Interim Management Committee Chairmen in the 27 local governments may have contributed in the “tactical shift in the date of the local government election”
There was no independent confirmation of these claims.
Another source said the government was in a hurry to announce that the LGA polls will take place in December.
“It was a hurried announcement. No government, especially a new one holds a local government election in the early days of its life.
“All over the country, local government elections are held during the dying days of any government. Former Governors Ohakim and Okorocha held local government elections when their administrations were winding up
“It is politically unwise for local government elections to be held so soon. It can dislocate the cohesion of the State government and also in the party. This is the least of what we need. There is so much to be done and it needs all the time.
“But these are secondary options. ISIEC holds the ace and they are in vintage position to say when the polls will hold” the source concluded