The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State has once again declared that no legitimate election took place on September 21, 2024. The party described the purported election of 27 local government Chairmen and 305 Councillors as fraudulent, accusing the Senator Hope Uzodimma-led All Progressives Congress (APC) state government of imposing these individuals on the people of Imo.
In a statement released on Tuesday by Hon. Lancelot Obiku, the PDP State Publicity Secretary, the party alleged that these so-called Chairmen and Councillors are part of an illegal scheme aimed at undermining democracy, the rule of law, and further oppressing the people by siphoning local government allocations. The party condemned their imposition, calling them “mere impostors” used by their “paymaster” to consolidate control.
The PDP also claimed to have intercepted intelligence revealing an alleged agreement between the Uzodimma administration and the newly sworn-in Chairmen, which requires them to return over 70 percent of their local government allocations to the state government. According to the PDP, the governor has forced these Chairmen to sign their resignation letters in advance, to be enforced should they fail to comply with this arrangement.
The statement continued by urging anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), to investigate these allegations and prosecute those involved. It also raised concerns about a previous deal with an Egyptian company for an electrification project under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, where a significant portion of the allocated funds allegedly remains unaccounted for.
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further criticized the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) and the state’s judiciary, accusing them of failing to follow due process, including not constituting an election tribunal and allowing the APC to submit candidates just two days before the election, violating the Electoral Act.
The party insisted that the local government elections were null and void, claiming that if any party was eligible to win, it would be the PDP, which adhered to all legal requirements. It called on the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Finance to halt the release of funds to the local government accounts in Imo State until a valid election is conducted.
The Imo PDP warned that the so-called Chairmen and Councillors must refrain from occupying local government offices or presenting themselves as legitimate officials, as doing so would be an affront to democracy and the intelligence of the people of Imo.
