Written by Ella Michaels
"Imo APC's Last-Minute Scramble: Uzodimma's Dilemma and the Council Election"
As the September 21 Imo Local Government Elections approach, the All Progressive Congress (APC) finds itself in disarray. Despite being the ruling party, APC has yet to hold its primaries, postponing the exercise multiple times. This has caused confusion and apprehension among members and aspirants. The party's inability to produce candidates has raised concerns about its preparedness for the elections.
Governor Hope Uzodimma's frequent trips to Abuja for national assignments have been cited as a reason for the delay. However, with the Supreme Court's final verdict on the Imo governorship litigation, Uzodimma can now focus on the APC's election issues.
In recent addresses to Imo APC members, Uzodimma emphasized the importance of zoning and consensus in selecting candidates. However, his statements have been perceived as ambiguous, sparking concerns about the party's commitment to fair representation.
The APC's decision to adopt consensus or direct/indirect primaries has created uncertainty, with many aspirants left wondering about their chances. The party's reliance on "finger-pointing" to select candidates in previous exercises has raised fears of a repeat scenario.
As the stakes grow higher, with the LGAs gaining financial autonomy and humongous funds expected from Abuja, the battle for APC candidates intensifies. The party's leaders in the LGAs will face off, with each aspirant backed by influential figures.
Uzodimma's interest in the election is evident, as he seeks to ensure trusted allies are elected. His political future, potentially including a return to the Senate, depends on the outcome. The APC must now scramble to produce candidates, with indications suggesting a release next week. Will they convince Imo people and other parties that the elections will hold as scheduled? Only time will tell.
