Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, has been administering the 27 local government areas in the state with interim caretaker committees since the inception of his administration.
This is contrary to the expectations of the citizenry who had looked forward to vibrancy and optimal performance of the local governments.
Incidentally, from the body language of the governor, he is not in a hurry to conduct LGA elections.
The present scenario has paralysed the third tier of government.
The most affected are the rural dwellers who do business with the various councils.
As there are no visible systems in place to relate with, a visit to the councils, such as Ehime Mbano, Onuimo and Isiala Mbano witnessed deserted and abandoned councils, as weeds and rodents have taken over the councils.
The administration each year promises dates for the conduct of the LGA election without fulfilling them.
The masses have been hearing of these announcements and appear not to trust these annual rituals. They believe these as political statements and playing to the gallery.
The last local government election was conducted in 2019 by the former governor of the state, Owelle Rochas Okorocha.
Uzodimma came into office in January 2020, when the Supreme Court nullified the election of Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the governor of the state.
The apex court declared Hope Uzodimma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the governorship election in the state.
Not satisfied with the level of decay in the councils, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has challenged Uzodimma to conduct LG elections if he means well for the youths and if he also thinks that the APC is popular at the grassroots.
The ADC stated this in a statement made available to newsmen by its national vice chairman, South-East, Chilos Godsent.
The statement reads, “ADC threw this challenge knowing fully well that a democratic local government council system in Imo State has the capacity to economically and politically empower over 10,000 youths of Imo State, including rapid development of rural communities and a drastic reduction in crimes.
“ADC recognises that the democratic local government council system will enhance the leadership capacity and competence of the youths who will emerge as council chairmen, deputy council chairmen, councilors, supervisory councilors, etc.”
Expressing astonishment at the governor’s indifference to the conduct of LGA elections, civil society organisations (CSOs) in the state had given Uzodimma a three-month ultimatum to conduct local elections.
The CSOs also urged the state’s House of Assembly to pass a resolution compelling the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission to begin the process of conducting the elections before May.
The groups, which included the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Christian Aid and the Tax Justice and Governance Platform, made the call at a recent joint news briefing in Owerri.
In a statement, titled: “Imo State Economic Challenges and Debt Management amid Economic Uncertainties in Nigeria,” the state coordinator of Tax Justice and Governance Platform, Chibundu Uchegbu, said the need for local elections in the state was long overdue.
Uchegbu said, “The people of the state are no longer progressing as they should due to the absence of leadership at the local government level.’’
Amid the clamour for LG polls, Uzodimma has appointed 27 sole administrators to oversee the affairs of the councils.
The appointments were made known by the commissioner for information, public orientation and strategy, Declan Emelumba.
In a statement he issued to newsmen in Owerri, he said the sole administrators are set to assume their roles for a tenure of 60 days, after which Uzodimma plans to conduct elections at the grassroots.
Emelumba reiterated the governor‘s commitment to ensuring the credibility and transparency of the electoral process in the state.
The sole administrators are Isiala Mbano – Hon. Okoroike Chika; Onuimo – Dr. Obi Emeka; Okigwe – Hon. Sir Acho Asiegbu; Obowo – Barr Obioma Ehirim; Ehime Mbano – Chief Uche Nwodu; Ihitte Uboma – Hon. Barr. Chukwuma Godson Onyema; Oru East – Hon. Okwaraigwe Nnamdi; Orsu – Hon. Ibekaeme Friday; Orlu – Barr. Isaiah Chinedu Ezeogu; Oguta – Dr. Abiaziem Chima; Oru West – Engr. Ikenna Adikibe; Ohaji/Egbema – Hon. Chief Onyeaju Princewill; Nwangele – Chief Paul Duru and Isu – Chief Kenneth Ukah.
Others are Nkwerre – Hon. Odunze Ajaero; Njaba – Anaemem Obikaeze; Ideato South – Hon. Okechukwu Okwara; Ideato North – Ozigbo Michael; Ahiazu Mbaise – Larry Obinna Chikwe; Ezinihitte Mbaise – Nwachukwu Chinedum; Mbaitoli – Nwanegwo Ifunanya; Ikeduru – Hon. Justice Nzeh; Aboh Mbaise – Chief Nnamdi Anyanwu; Ngor Okpala – Hon. Kizito Onuoha; Owerri West – Hon. Nwankwo Victor; Owerri Municipal – Engr. Chidiebere Emeribe and Owerri North – Hon. Lucky Abaronye