The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State has strongly criticized the conduct of the local government elections held today, citing widespread irregularities and fraudulent practices.
The party described the poll as a “premeditated deceit,” alleging that voting took place in hotels and offices of the Sole Administrators across the 27 local government areas instead of official polling units.
During a press conference in Owerri, the state capital, PDP Chairman Austine Nwachukwu condemned the election, calling it “an organized fraud and an unprecedented rape of democracy.”
“We witnessed the murder of democracy today. The so-called local government elections in Imo State, on September 21, 2024, were nothing but a show of shame,” Nwachukwu stated. He went on to claim that there was no sign of an actual election, as polling units across the state lacked both sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials, with no electoral officers in sight by 4 p.m.
According to the PDP, frustrated voters left the polling stations after waiting in vain to cast their ballots. Nwachukwu further alleged that the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) delivered sensitive electoral materials directly to All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders and their allies in various LGAs.
The PDP had previously raised alarms four days before the election, accusing the APC-led administration of plotting to rig the poll. They accused ISIEC of violating the electoral act and its own guidelines, and expressed concerns over the commission’s failure to disclose candidate names or provide the voter register at polling stations, as required by law.
Nwachukwu criticized the lack of transparency and engagement with political parties and candidates, stating that no one knew who the ISIEC electoral officers or ad-hoc staff were, and that the recruitment process was never made public. “This is dubious and undemocratic,” he remarked, adding that the actions of Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration reflect a complete failure in governance.
“If this government were truly in touch with the people, they wouldn’t fear the ballot. They are a disgrace to democratic governance,” he concluded.
