Some opposition political parties in Imo State have decided to participate in the upcoming local government election scheduled for September 21 2024.
Despite initial reservations, parties like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Social Democratic Party (SDP) have signaled their interest in taking part in the electoral process.
The Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) had set the date for the election, but many aspirants, especially those in the opposition, had expressed doubts about the commission’s ability to conduct a free and fair election.
However, the Supreme Court’s judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments was a major factor in convincing the opposition that the September LG elections would be a reality.
“The Supreme Court’s judgment has given us hope and confidence that the local government system which has been choked by State governors will now breathe” said Ebere Njoku, a PDP chieftain in Owerri.
The ongoing debate in the Senate to amend the Electoral Act, including the abolition of state-controlled electoral commissions, also played a role in the opposition’s decision to participate in the Imo LG polls.
“We are confident that if the Senate amends the Electoral Act, it will level the playing field and ensure a more credible electoral process,” said Nkemdirim Osuji, an ADC stalwart who spoke to this newspaper.
Nigerian Senators are seeking to transfer the responsibility of conducting elections from state-controlled commissions to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
While it is unclear if the Senate will conclude the amendment before September 21, there is a glimmer of hope among the opposition parties in Imo State that they stand a chance in the polls if ISIEC eventually loses the authority to conduct local government elections to INEC.
An Owerri-based political analyst, Kevin Njere, told INNONEWS in Owerri that the participation of opposition parties in the forthcoming Imo LG election is a significant development.
“This is the first time opposition parties are taking part in local government election in Imo State, and this is predicated on the fact that the Senate may amend the Electoral Act, conferring powers on INEC and not ISIEC to hold local government elections in September,” Njere said.
“If the amendment takes place before September, then there is a possibility that the usual norm where the ruling party usually sweeps the Council elections may change. There will be more confidence in the process,” he said.
