BY GIDEON EKE
75 days to the 2023 general elections, political rallies are slow, with issues and ideas driven campaigns taking the back seat in Imo State.
Analysts point to insecurity and the new policies of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, which include redesigned naira notes and withdrawal limits, as some factors, which may have caused the slow pace of campaigns by candidates of various political parties in the State.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had on September 28, 2022, lifted the ban on political campaigns ahead of the 2023 general elections.
In Imo State, most candidates of several political parties are foot- dragging on campaigns, a factor which has indeed slowed down the intensity of the political contest.
Issues driven campaigns which has been rapidly advocated for, have taken the back seat, with most candidates and their media handlers focusing on exchanging brick bats in the media against each other.
However, despite the announcement of State campaign councils by some major political parties, there has been no significant campaigns by candidates, leaving those in the hinterlands uniformed of the capacity and competences of those who seek their votes.
Greg Anuforo, a political analyst based in Owerri blamed the slow pace of campaigns by candidates on cash squeeze and resurgence of insecurity in the state.
“Insecurity is one major issue affecting the effective take off of political campaigns by candidates and political parties in the State.
“The resurgence of insecurity in some parts of the State is scaring politicians and their political parties from campaigning openly.
“We must have a secure and peaceful environment before people can come out to listen to those who seek their votes” he said
Last week, armed gunmen had unleashed attack in some parts of the State, particularly in Mbaitoli LGA, where the elder brother of popular Nollywood actor, Osita Iheme, popularly called Paw- Paw, was killed.
Martin Eke, one of the newly appointed Commissioners by Governor Hope Uzodimma, was also attacked, as one policeman was also reportedly killed at Orji, a tiny town close to Owerri metropolis.
“These fresh attacks are scary and it is capable of scaring politicians from going to the villages to campaign or hunt for votes” Anuforo told INNONEWS.
Imo State has witnessed series of attacks carried out by unknown gunmen.
Gibson Okenwa, Executive Director, Imo Awareness Coalition, a political study group, based in Owerri, however said the redesigned naira Notes and the withdrawal limits put up by the Central Bank Of Nigeria, CBN, is a contributory factor slowing down the pace of campaigns by political parties and candidates.
“There is so much uncertainty over the new CBN policies. And political campaigns is all about funds. And when we have such policies, it is bound to affect campaigns. It is not perculiar to Imo State, it is the case across the Federation.
“The CBN policies are targeted at reducing or limiting the “nairazation” of the electoral process and eliminate voting buying. Though the policy is yet to take off, it will affect the flow of cash which candidates and political parties desperately need for campaigns and for the coming election” Okenwa said