Imo Advocacy for Good Governance, a group of concerned citizens committed to promoting democratic ethos and ensuring the enthronement of good governance has condemned the council election that took place last week in Imo.
They made their views known in a press release signed by the National Convener/Chairman, Board of Trustees, Apostle (Dr) Ken Nwanguma and secretary, Engr. Ikechukwu Opara. Excerpts of the release reads as follows:
“With great pains in our hearts we condemn in its entirety the shambolic exercise that took place last week in the name of local government elections conducted by the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission, (ISIEC). What took place was anything but election as the exercise ab initio was de-robed of any democratic process.
“Our fears was raised when the ruling party conducting the election sent the wrong signal by failing to observe internal democracy in her choice of candidates. The hues and cries of aspirants in the All Progressives Congress (APC) who were short changed after spending hugely buying expression of interest forms, campaign exercises and gratifying party officials showed signs of what to expect in the election. APC did not conduct any primary election.
“It is disturbing that at a time the nation and indeed the world condemned the 2023 election and hoped that lessons were learnt from the atrocities committed in that exercise, the ruling party rather than make positive change are even deepening the rot. What is more worrisome is that the actors are carrying out this with impunity.
“Another dangerous dimension which bothers on criminality is the willful and deliberate action of the electoral umpire to shun its own guidelines and the electoral acts. We are not aware that there was a display of neither voters’ registers nor its revision; neither did we notice any interaction between ISIEC and the stakeholders eg the political parties.
On the election day, very close to end of polls sensitive materials were not delivered to the booths, neither were electoral officers seen anywhere. In most of the areas monitored by the group the citizens were ignorant of any intended election and those who shared presence waited all day long and left.
“Even when no elections took place results were declared and APC swept the polls all over the state. This sign posts grave danger for our democratic health. In the last five years, Gov Hope Uzodimma failed to conduct council elections for reasons best known to him. At a time he chose to do so hopes went high that Imo may be on a jolly ride to witness a new lease of live especially with the current local government autonomy. Sadly, the governor and his ISIEC dashed the hope increasing the agonies and pains of Imolites.
“According to records, more than 300 billion naira LGA funds are yet to be accounted for in a badly run council administration even as hope is hinged on a new administration. We align ourselves to the group that went to court and urge the judiciary to live up to its billing by upholding the rule of law as all eyes are on her.
“Local government administration in the State is dead and exists only in name. As a government close to the grassroots we can only but advocate the best for the people. We therefore call for the cancellation of tAhe polls and creating a level playing field for all stakeholders”, the statement concluded.