A major governance crisis is brewing across the 27 Local Government Areas of Imo State, as 305 elected Councillors allege deliberate neglect by their respective LGA Chairmen. Despite consistent monthly allocations from the federal and state governments, many Councillors claim they have been left in dire financial straits, unable to perform their legislative duties effectively.
Investigations reveal that while allocations to LGAs have steadily increased under Governor Hope Uzodinma’s administration—with Imo reportedly receiving over ₦7.8 billion in July 2024 alone and an estimated ₦16.3 billion monthly in 2025—most Councillors across several LGAs have seen little to no benefit. Areas such as Oru-East, Ikeduru, Oru-West, Okigwe, Owerri North, Ihitte-Uboma, Ngor-Okpala, and Owerri Municipal have emerged as flashpoints of the growing discontent.
Numerous Councillors report being unable to afford transportation to their council offices or pay basic living expenses, raising questions about how funds are being disbursed and utilized at the LGA level. Meanwhile, some LGA Chairmen insist that their Councillors are well taken care of, attributing the unrest to political differences or internal divisions among council members.
Stakeholders and civic groups are now calling for a thorough audit of all LGA expenditures and a transparent breakdown of allocations. With the Imo State Government reportedly no longer reliant on borrowing for salaries or capital projects, and with FAAC allocations increasing by over 200% in recent years, attention has shifted to how these resources are being managed at the grassroots.
Observers warn that if urgent steps are not taken to resolve the issue and restore financial fairness, the credibility of local governance in Imo State could suffer irreparable damage. The alleged neglect of Councillors not only threatens their welfare but also undermines service delivery and development at the community level.
