The Imo State Local Government elections on Saturday were thrown into chaos when two court summons were issued, leaving voters bewildered.
A Magistrate Court in Owerri in suit number CR/OMC/635/2024, disqualified the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates for the September 21 elections due to non-compliance with the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) guidelines.
“The All Progressive Congress ought not to be in the Local Government election because it failed to conduct Chairmanship and Councillorship primaries in line with ISIEC guidelines,” ruled the Chief Magistrate, Ifunanya Ekwerike.
The Forum of APC Chairmanship and Councillorship Aspirants in Imo State had previously approached the Chief Magistrate’s Court, citing discrepancies in the APC primaries. The court’s decision was based on reports of irregularities in the conduct of primaries across the 305 wards in Imo State.
“We will do everything possible to ensure that APC does not participate in the LGA Election,” vowed Barr Lucky Ikwubuo, spokesperson for the Forum, citing the party’s refusal to conduct transparent and credible primaries.
Additionally, Action Alliance (AA) Chairmanship Candidate for Ahiazu Mbaise LGA, Nze Greg Anyanwu, filed a suit HOW/1051/2024 seeking a declaration that the 2024 local government council elections, scheduled without a Local Government Election Tribunal, are unlawful and invalid.
The APC in Imo State dismissed the court suits filed against it, claiming that the party did not receive such notices.
APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Duke Cajetan said, “We have not received any court notice or process. As I speak to you, we also don’t have aggrieved aspirants as we all agreed on consensus candidates. More so, you cannot stop a football match in the middle of the competition. So, the court notice or process does not exist.”
Cajetan further stated that the leadership of the party had commenced refunding money to aspirants who were not picked as candidates for the election.
“This move aims to demonstrate the party’s transparency and fairness in the selection process,” he said.
“The APC’s stance on consensus candidates and refunding unused nomination fees suggests an effort to promote unity and inclusivity within the party.”
The elections were however marred by voter apathy, with the late arrival of election materials in some areas. A voter noted, “There was no trust that there would be an election…that’s why a lot of people boycotted it.”
Despite the challenges, the election remained peaceful, thanks to the synergy between security agencies, including the Commissioner of Police, Commander 34 Artillery Brigade, and Commander Federal Road Safety Corps.