Nov 14 Imo LGA polls: We is not going to take part, electoral course of already manipulated – NDC

The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, in Imo State, has distanced itself from collaborating within the State Local Government Council elections scheduled for November 14, 2026, saying that the electoral course of has already been manipulated.

The celebration made its place recognized by its Legal Directorate, State National Campaign Council, calling on the Federal Government to withhold statutory allocations meant for the 27 Local Government Areas.

Addressing journalists on the Campaign Council Secretariat in Owerri, the Legal Directorate led by Eze Eluchie alleged that the APC- led administration of Governor Hope Uzodinma and the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission, ISIEC, have did not observe due course of and constitutional pointers in organising the polls.

He famous that native authorities administration within the state has beforehand been run by Directors of Administration and General Services, DAGS.

According to the celebration’s authorized crew, following the expiration of the two-year tenure of the councils elected in 2024, the State Governor once more handed administrative supervision again to DAGS in September 2026 reasonably than conducting well timed elections.

Citing Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which ensures a system of democratically elected Local Government Councils, the NDC described the deliberate November 14 election by ISIEC as a coronation of chosen individuals reasonably than a reputable democratic course of.

“It is the position of the Nigeria Democratic Congress that those elected from this charade, which ISIEC is planning for November 14, must be treated as those who gained access to the office of Chairmen and Councillors of our 27 LGAs and 305 electoral wards by means not envisaged by the Nigerian Constitution,” Eluchie stated.

NDC urged the Federal Government to halt the disbursement of Federal allocations to the 27 Local Government Councils ought to the election be held on November 14.

The celebration proposed that the funds be positioned in an interest-yielding account with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and launched solely after correctly constituted democratic elections are held.

Drawing comparisons to previous federal interventions in Osun and Lagos States, the directorate famous that particular remedial measures could possibly be put in place to make sure Local Government employees proceed to obtain their salaries whereas the primary allocations stay secured.

Aside from the LGA polls, NDC additionally accused the State Signage and Advertising Agency, IMSAA, of trying to stifle opposition events forward of the 2027 basic elections.

The celebration alleged that the company has imposed what it termed obnoxious, hefty, and prohibitive commercial charges and taxes on marketing campaign billboards and promotional supplies.

The celebration claimed that the transfer was designed to limit opposition events’ proper to free expression and restrict their potential to succeed in the voters.

The NDC indicated that it’s taking formal steps to problem the commercial charges levied by IMSAA to make sure a stage taking part in discipline for all political events collaborating within the upcoming basic elections.