Since what looked like election in the Twenty Seven Local Government Areas during the Gov Rochas Okorocha’s era,Imo State has been living without elected Council Chairmen.
Now,the State will go to the polls in September 21,2024 to elect Councillors and Chairmen.
The Imo State Independent Electoral Commission ISIEC led by Chief Ejiogu has assured that the election must hold. And it is the prayer of all that the exercise takes place,even though it is clear that the ruling party, All Progressive Congress APC,has no challenge.
The only thing that may change the status quo is the ugly out come of the APC’s primary which has left disaffection on its trail within the party.
The Voodoo primary of Imo APC which not even Aspirants knew when and where it took place,yet list of Candidates have been forwarded to ISIEC,has baffled many.
The “Spiritual” primaries that witnessed no human activities has left shock waves within Imo APC.
The much disgruntled Leaders and members could do is to grumble inside their houses.
However there are indications that angry APC members may vote for other parties to demonstrate their displeasure.
But who are these opposition parties?
Even if these unhappy APC members vote these other parties,who will declare them winner?
APC cleared all the positions in the last INEC conducted elections in the State.
Therefore is it this Conducted by local ISIEC that APC will lose!?
Fortunately,there are many benefits in having elected Council Chairmen and Councilors in the 27 LGAs and 305 Wards in Imo;even if one party clears the stakes.
But beyond that,there are salient issues that need to be sorted out to give the exercise credibility and avoid giving opportunity to opposition Elements to put spanner in the wheels of ISIEC.
First,it must be sure that the State Electoral Body is properly constituted by following the relevant Laws that established it.
The ISIEC must also follow the rules that guide the election itself.
Beginning with selling of forms, screening of Aspirants,to date of issuance of Notices to political parties,in accordance with the Laws that guide the Electoral process.
We must not forget that every election has stipulated time for submission of Forms, periods for Campaigns and time for the election Proper.
Within this period, political parties must have submitted their Candidates for proper documentations.
The Judiciary must Constitute Panel/Tribunal that would look into matters that may fall out from the Election.
Wether there’s a Tribunal already set up as Imo electorate head to the polls on September 21 is not yet known.
The Imo Legislature must be involved to promulgate the Laws that will be the guiding principle for those to be elected.
This includes the tenure of the would-be Councillors and Chairmen.
Before now, elected Council Chairmen in Imo State spend only Three years in office for a term.
But the latest Council Administrations that have Financial Autonomy based on the Supreme Court Judgement, ought to have Four years tenure just like the Executive and Legislature across the Federation.
But this has not yet be sorted out even as Imo people vote in September.
Under this scenario, those aspiring to be Council Chairmen and Councilors are no yet aware how many years they are spending in office.
In other words the Legislature and Executive arms of Government should have finished the arrangements and details before these would-be elected Officers assume office next month.
Despite all these challenges Imo people are ready for the election.
Not that it will give them much of what they desire but at least give them a little sense of belonging that the people are taking back their Local Governments.
They have the euphoria that they can now easily see who is their local Leader than always looking towards Government House Owerri that is far.
The masses believe they can confront their Leaders now to be responsible and accountable as Local Governments are Communal Administrations where everyone knows nearly every one.
The Council Chairman is known: from his father, mother, Kindred, to the Church he attends, including all his movements. His new Buildings and Farms could easily be leaked by Umunnadi.
It is imperative to note that any Local Government Chairman coming to office with the believe that Council allocations would be shared among him and the Leaders should prepare for whatever happens to him/her from the Masses.
The people have suffered too much deprivation and now ready to reclaim their Patrimony.
After the elections be sure that the educated but teeming unemployed Imo Youths are thronging back to their LGAs to partake in what happens there . It will not be business as usual.
A Chairman who fails to account what comes to his LGA should blame himself..
Previously,the Chairmen fool the people with the story that “the Governor just gave us money only for Salary”.
Let it be known that Council funds are not to service Commissioners, Lawmakers,people who are already well placed and collecting huge salaries and Allowances.
Council Allocations are for the poor people,the grassroots. For provision of basic amenities like water,roads, build and maintain markets, pay loca Viligilantes, povide Electricity where possible etc.
Certainly,the Imo LGA election will absorb Many people in the Councils and drastically reduce unemployment and the crowding and loitering of Contractors and Leaders in Douglas House Owerri.
Let these Contractors and Leaders go to their LGAs and contribute.
Huge employments in Imo Councils will commence next month. From Chairmen,Vice, Supervisory Councillors, Councillors. Even Personal Assistants to the Elected Officers and other sundry appointments.
Multiply this across the State and you see the number of Imo people that the will gain employment.
May nothing shifts this Election on September 21. It will be part of Uzodimma’s legacies and majorly for the good of Imo State,by driving development down to the people,the grassroots.