As Imo State prepares for the Local Government Council Election, the Niger Delta Journalists Association (NDJA) has urged stakeholders to ensure the polls are peaceful, transparent, credible, free, and fair. The group seeks collaboration with the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
In a release jointly signed by its President, Austin Okoro, and Secretary, Basil Ukwuegbu, NDJA emphasized the importance of a well-ordered society and the need for the larger Imo citizens to benefit from the administrative process by holding political officeholders accountable.
The media group called on ISIEC to conduct the elections in a manner that is acceptable to all participants, ensuring credible, free, and fair elections to select the right candidates for chairmen and councillors.
“This call is necessary because of the autonomy granted to the local government areas in Nigeria by the recent ruling of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, and the robust allocations that will be given to the local government areas. These allocations will be put to optimal use if the right people emerge,” the release stated.
The group highlighted the negative impact of State Governors using Interim Management Committee Chairmen to oversee local governments, resulting in inadequate infrastructure and services in rural areas.
NDJA believes that transparency and accountability in the elections could revitalize local councils and encourage grassroots development, benefiting rural dwellers. The association called on CSOs, religious organizations, and the electorate to help supervise the elections, reject bribery, and ensure votes are counted.
Political parties were urged to participate in the elections to prevent a single party from dominating the 27 chairmanship seats and 305 councillor seats in the state. The association also called on the Federal Government and international election monitors to ensure that ISIEC conducts fair elections and respects the choices of the electorate.
