*Calls for free and fair Election.
The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma has been advised to allow the forth coming Local Government elections in Imo State have some semblance of Democracy and transparency by allowing all interested Persons participate in the exercise starting from his own Political party,All Progressive Congress, APC.
The Imo For Good Governance (IFGG) led by Dr Alexander Chidi Nwachukwu made this call in Owerri while addressing Journalists.
The Group said it became necessary to raise the alarm as the News every where is that the Governor has allegedly resolved to return all the present Twenty Seven (27) Local Government Sole Administrators to Elected Executive Chairmen in the Councils.
Dr Nwachukwu maintained if that happens it would have made a mockery of the Supreme Court landmark judgement which granted Local Governments Financial Autonomy.
He maintained that the autonomy should commence by allowing the people chose their Councillors and Executive Council Chairmen.
The Group Appealed to Uzodimma to provide a level playing ground for all interested parties to participate in the election and therefore give credibility to the polls.
The IMO For Good Governance IFGG alleged that the SOLADs have been boasting openly that they would be elected Executive Chairmen wether any one likes it or not.
It was further alleged that they claimed to have been instructed “From above” to go and pick APC Chairmanship forms as the primary will be a formality and the main election a Walk Over, with a 27/27 result posted.
The Group asked the Governor to throw the doors of the primary in APC open since Democracy begins with a transparent party primary.
Dr Alexander said that it would be in to good name of Uzodimma and his own benefit that Imo Council election held in a Conducive environment that will produce the best for Imo people.
The Group said that it is not against the present Imo SOLADs contesting in the election but the Governor should allow them to compete in the primary like others in a free and fair exercise where whoever wins should carry the party’s flag in the election.
“His Excellency,the Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma will have nothing to lose, but bigger honour if he allows the wish of the people to prevail than giving help to some party members above others” Nwachukwu hinted.
However,a reliable source close the Governor Said that the Imo Chief Executive is out to give Imo State the best Local Government election ever, adding that the stories flying about are rumours, urging APC Aspirants to go and pick forms and ignore the rumours.
It would be recalled that the Imo State Electoral Commission headed by Chief Ejiogu has fixed the date for the Chairmanship and Councillorship Elections on Saturday, September 21,2024.