Imo LG polls: APC responds to PDP, debunks claimed machinations to rig election

The Imo State Government has denied allegations made by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state that the APC-led government was attempting to rig the upcoming LGA election.

The drill is set for September 21 in all 27 local council areas in the state.

Denying the allegation, Declan Emelumba, Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation, and Strategy, stated in a statement that, based on Governor Hope Uzodinma's popularity as a result of his people-oriented projects visible throughout the state, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will undoubtedly win the election.

He added that it was highly arrogant for the PDP to accuse the governor of smuggling pre-written results to ISIEC, rejecting the charge as a statement coming from a failed party that, he said, is fading away and cannot compete with the APC in any election.

"The PDP is in shreds. It is mainly remembered in Imo State as a failed political party. They already know they can't win a single ward in the state, which is why they're crying wolf and attempting to discredit an election that has yet to take place," he said.

The Information Commissioner chastised the PDP for constantly raising fake warnings to gain sympathy rather than going to the polls to campaign.

He observed that the APC was not only strong in Imo State, but also formidable and impregnable, as proven by its performance in the state's governorship election on November 11, 2023.

"The APC won in all 27 local government areas in the state. The PDP failed to win the local government of its governorship candidate.

"After dragging APC to all the courts, the Supreme Court still affirmed that His Excellency, Gov. Hope Uzodinma, won fair and square," said the politician.

Emelumba implied that no governor with Uzodinma's achievements would resort to rigging a local government election, especially given the APC's strong presence in the state's grassroots.

He went on to say that ISIEC remains truly autonomous and will hold a legitimate, free, and fair local government election on September 21, 2024, adding that those who are skeptical of the state electoral body already know they will lose.

"It is a well-known trademark of the PDP to raise false alarms about imaginary rigging of an election because failure is their constant companion," according to him.

He urged Imo voters to disregard what he termed as a drowning party's antics and vote massively for APC as a guarantee of additional benefits of democracy in the state, particularly at the grassroots.