Ahead of September 21 Local Government election in Imo, lists of supposed consensus candidates have been flying at all the nooks and crannies of Imo State.
This is even as the Party’s leadership has converted some of the Chairmanship Aspirants as deputies to the Sole Administrators, Lead Express gathered.
Governor Uzodinma had few weeks ago charged the members of the ruling Party, the APC, particularly the Aspirants to adopt consensus as a means of selecting the Party’s Candidates in the forthcoming Local Government election, an idea which received varying reactions amongst the party members.
While many jettisoned the method, viewing it as an infringement on their rights to contest, others saw it as a welcome development which hitherto would discourage rancor and factions amongst APC members after the said election.
However, while leaders have been carrying various lists from their Local Governments to meet the State Chairman for onward submission to the Governor, Lead authoritatively gathered that 80 percent of those that would make the list of the Chairmen are the present Sole Administrators at various Local Governments.
A source from the Government hinted Lead following the allegation that the leaders who out to bring the names on the basis of consensus as directed by the Governor now used the opportunity to extort the innocent Aspirants hence the sudden decision of the Governor to use all the Sole Administrators in virtually all the Local Governments.
It would be recalled that the Sole Administrators who are currently overseeing the affairs of the Local Governments in Imo were the former election monitors that monitored the Governorship election of Senator Hope Uzodinma in the 2023 election.
In a bid to compensate the said people, Governor Uzodinma appointed them to man the Local Governments as sole Administrators pending the council election.
Our roving Reporter who has been following the election process in Imo revealed that as at Yesterday, Tuesday 3rd of September, the APC State Secretariat along Okigwe Road, Owerri was so busy with leaders trooping in and out of the Party with lists of their Councillorship Aspirants.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the APC in Imo had announced that the Party was having it’s Primaries for the purpose of electing the flag bearers for the Chairmanship seat ahead of September poll.
In a release signed by Cajethan Duke, in his capacity as the State Publicity Secretary of the Party reads:
The All Progressives Congress (APC), is pleased to announce the commencement of its primary election for the nomination of chairmanship and councillorship candidates across the 305 wards and 27 Local Government Areas, ahead of the September 21 Local Government Area (LGA) elections. This milestone marks a significant step towards the party’s quest to consolidate its renewed hope agenda in the state’s political landscape.
The primary election, which is simultaneously ongoing across the wards and LGA in the state, is expected to be conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner, ensuring a level playing field for all aspirants. The party assures all stakeholders of equal opportunities, adhering to the principles of democracy and internal party mechanisms.
It is the anticipation of the party leadership that this process will enable the emergence of the most capable and popular candidates to fly the party’s flag in the forthcoming LGA elections.
Our party, the APC is committed to upholding the values of inclusivity, justice, and fair play throughout the primary election process. The party’s leadership has put in place measures to ensure a hitch-free exercise, guaranteeing the participation of all eligible members. Aspirants, and party faithful are urged to conduct themselves in a peaceful and orderly manner, eschewing any form of violence or malpractice.
The party’s chairman, Hon. MacDonald Ebere, PhD, while addressing newsmen earlier expressed confidence in the primary election process, stating, “We are poised to produce candidates who will not only win the LGA elections but also deliver good governance to our people. We enjoin all aspirants and stakeholders to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship and work towards the ultimate victory of our great party.”
The primary election will culminate in the emergence of chairmanship and councillorship candidates who will represent the APC in the September 21 LGA elections.
Read Also: Imo LGA Poll: APC Aspirants In Dilemma as Party Finally Shifts Primaries Indefinitely
