By Okey Alozie.
Ahead of the planned local government elections in Imo State scheduled for June this year.
There are serious indications that the Imo House Assembly may consider it necessary to replace the INEC political wards with autonomous communities for the conduct of the polls.
Sources close to government made the revelation to the newspaper adding that the idea is not only to accommodate the interest of some politicians but also increase the number of councilors that will be legible to partake in party primaries as delegates.
This newspaper had in the last edition revealed that reason behind Okorocha’s decision to hold LG elections is to shore up the support base of his anointed candidate with the elected councilors and chairmen as sure bet delegates for him.
Top informants who craved for anonymity has further revealed that members of the State House of Assembly, especially those from All Progressive Congress (APC) may likely give backing to the proposal so that the governor will gain more ground during the primaries.
Further details have it that the Governor is allegedly using subterranean means to secretly lobby some of the lawmakers to dance to his tune and approve the change without delay to enable him beef up powers with the autonomous communities since he has lost in his plans to remove the ward, LGA and State Excos.
Having lost confidence in most of the party officials, the best thing for Governor Rochas Okorocha it was gathered is romance with the House and approval to replace political ward with autonomous communities. Since 2011. It was not possible to confirm from any House member concerning the plot but a member from Orlu zone who does not want name in print expressed that nothing is impossible in Okorocha’s government. According to the lawmaker “since he has been going about with CGC government, it will not be out of place to rule out autonomous communities replacing INEC or ISIEC Electoral wards.
