The Imo State government has firmly dismissed allegations by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that it intends to rig the upcoming local government elections. The administration reiterated its commitment to a free and fair process, citing the popularity of Governor Hope Uzodimma and the widespread impact of his development projects across the state.
Hon. Declan Emelumba, the State Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation, and Strategy, labeled the PDP’s accusations as insulting. He criticized the opposition for claiming that the Governor had “pre-written” election results to be handed over to the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC).
Responding to a statement by Lancelot Obiaku, the PDP’s publicity secretary, Emelumba dismissed the party as fractured and ill-prepared for the elections. “The PDP is a shadow of its former self, trying to undermine an election they know they can’t win,” he asserted. According to the Commissioner, the PDP is attempting to stir controversy instead of focusing on its campaign.
Emelumba emphasized that the All Progressives Congress (APC) remains dominant in the state, referencing the party’s strong showing in the previous year’s gubernatorial election, where it won in all 27 local government areas. He pointed out that even the PDP’s governorship candidate failed to win in his own local government, a fact affirmed by multiple court rulings, including the Supreme Court’s final decision.
With the APC deeply rooted in Imo’s grassroots, Emelumba stressed that there would be no need for any form of electoral manipulation. He also reaffirmed ISIEC’s independence, assuring the public that the commission would conduct a credible election on September 21, 2024.
The Commissioner urged Imo voters to ignore what he described as the PDP’s “desperate tactics” and instead vote for APC to ensure continued progress and development at the grassroots level. He attributed the PDP’s claims to fear of inevitable defeat and a long-standing history of making baseless accusations when faced with failure.
