Ahead of the forthcoming Local Government election in Imo State, Governor Hope Uzodimma and the All Progressives Congress, APC have been urged to allow party members to nominate candidates for the polls in the state.
A Group, Imo United Democrats made the call on Tuesday on Owerri, the state capital.
Leader of the Group, Hon. Mbaukwu Anthony while speaking to newsmen also urged Governor Uzodimma to ensure that internal democracy prevails in the APC in the state especially as it relates to nomination of candidates for the council polls scheduled for September 21, 2024.
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Mbaukwu said the APC in the state should lead by example by ensuring transparency in the party's candidates nomination exercise.
He added that such will help erase the notion that the forthcoming LGA election in the state will be a mere selection exercise by the governor and party leadership.
He said, "There is this notion that the Governor will hand-pick or select his stooges as the party's candidacy for the election.
"There is also another rumour of plot engineered by some notable Commissioners, House of Assembly members and some close allies of the Governor to select all the serving Sole Administrators as the party's candidates for the elections with the sole aim of deciding how the allocated LGA funds are shared.
"We learnt that these Commissioners and House of Assembly members are from six council areas.
"So, we hope that the Governor does not succumb to them because such a selfish attempt is not good for the growth and development of not only Imo APC but the entire political system of the state.
He added , "This council election is one golden opportunity for Governor Hope Uzodimma to deepen democracy and good governance in the State and Party by allowing other party loyalists to exhibit their capabilities in the affairs of governance instead of recycling same individuals he appointed as TC Chairmen and SOLADs to possibly become elected Chairmen due to pressure from few individuals who have selfish motive to enrich themselves and secure their 2027 bid, which will not make for a decent democratic setting of our nascent political system.
"We also expect the governor to ensure that both the party's nomination exercise and the eventual LG poll in the state is credible, transparent, free and fair.
"By that, Imolites will elect only credible people into LGA offices. People they know will be accountable to them and not a few individuals or those that will ride on their mandate to selfishly enrich themselves and their colonies."
"IMUD has volunteered themselves to work with the Imo people to serve as watchdogs over the elections and will resist any attempt to sabotage the exercise for whatever reason. Anybody who intends to hijack the process for his personal gains will meet our wrath,".
The group also advised all aspirants across party lines in the state not to see the exercise as a do or die affair but an opportunity to join hands to serve the people well and to deliver dividends of democracy for the overall good of the Imo citizens.
"This election is not a do or die affair. So people especially the aspirants should rather see it as an opportunity to advance our general interest and development.
"We should do everything to ensure that the benefits of local government administration will not continue to elude us. Together we shall get it right this time." Mbaukwu concluded.
