Widespread outrage has erupted across Imo State following the September 21, 2024, local government elections, with many residents and political parties strongly condemning the process and insisting that no legitimate election took place.
Despite the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) announcing results and declaring winners, several residents expressed disbelief, describing the situation as “criminal” and threatening mass protests.
“What we witnessed on Saturday was shocking. How can they declare winners when we waited all day for election materials to arrive at polling units in Ahiazu, but nothing came? Then, we suddenly heard winners had emerged. It’s a complete joke,” lamented Mr. Emeka Sorochi, a trader from Ahiazu Mbaise.
Jude Elenwoke from Umualumaku in Ehime Mbano LGA echoed similar frustrations: “In my polling unit, there was no election. We didn’t see any ISIEC staff or materials. I checked my entire ward, and it was the same story. This is fraud, and Imo people should not accept this insult. We must not let it stand.”
Another aggrieved resident from Owerri voiced his readiness to protest: “They’ve robbed us again. How can ISIEC and the State government treat us like fools? Voters didn’t see electoral officers or materials all day, yet they announced winners. This is an assault on democracy.”
In Ikeduru LGA, Mrs. Nkechi Nwoke shared her experience: “Our polling unit is close to the LGA headquarters, so after waiting for hours without seeing any ISIEC staff or materials, we went to the headquarters around 4 p.m. The ISIEC returning officer arrived without essential materials, claiming she forgot them. We waited until 6:20 p.m., and she never returned. There was no election across the entire LGA.”
Prior to the election, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) had threatened to boycott the polls, accusing ISIEC of failing to adhere to Imo’s 2024 local government electoral guidelines. During a press conference on September 17, 2024, IPAC Chairman Mr. Ekeh, who also leads the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), criticized the commission’s lack of compliance.
Several political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), have outrightly rejected the election results. In a statement, PDP’s State Publicity Secretary, Lancelot Obiaku, denounced the election as “an organized fraud.”
The controversy has left many questioning the legitimacy of the election and calling for action to rectify the situation.
