By Onyekachi Eze
Imo State governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma may be announcing fresh names of Interim Management Committee, IMC, of the 27 Local Government Areas any moments from now thereby fuelling speculations that he has jettisoned the initial idea of toeing the line of the federal government against usage of non elected officials for the councils.
Strong indications that the LGAs may have non elected appointees take over the administration became noticeable with the motion moved on the floor of the State legislature on Tuesday, calling on the governor to as a matter of urgent public importance appoint caretaker committee chairmen.
It would be recalled that in his maiden broadcast as the executive governor of Imo, Uzodinma did state his administration’s resolve in maintaining the directives of President Mohammed Buhari that only duly elected LGA officers should be in charge. In that regard, the governor announced plans to hold council elections but without a date.
However, the resolution by the State Assembly during Tuesday’s plenary session was in contrast to Uzodinma’s avowed promise of conducting LG polls months after his swearing in and not to operate with a caretaker committee.
On assumption into office, Uzodinma dislodged, those Emeka Ihedioha put in place as well as elected chairmen and councillors of the Rochas Okorocha’s era suspended earlier were barred from return.
The DAGs were ordered to take over after sacking the TC members appointed by his predecessor, Emeka Ihedioha.
Trumpeta learnt that as a means to have a soft landing for the plot, the House of Assembly resorted to undertake the yeoman’s job of giving the approval for the appointment of a TC until he is ready to conduct a proper election.
By this action, Uzodinma has disappointed chairmen and councillors elected during the Okorocha era.
The Supreme Court removal of Ihedioha saw the Okorocha council officers go into frenzy in jubilation with the expectations that they would be called back to office.
This newspaper can also recall that in the early days of the Uzodinma administration, the Okorocha Chairmen and Councilors hurriedly rushed back to the LGAs to resume work on the premise that a letter from the Attorney General and Minister of Justice authorized them to go back. The new development has shattered their dreams over return agenda.
Meanwhile, while presenting the motion, the Chief mover, Hon Eddy Obinna, member representing Aboh Mbaise State constituency said the appointment has become paramount following the cases of the covid-19 pandemic.
He said it would be better to have in place the interim chairmen in the 27 LGAs to handle the challenge of coronavirus at the grassroots.
“This is the best time to have the Interim Management Committee put in place, it will strengthen the assurance of our party of providing good governance to the people , now that the Coronavirus is ravaging the country, they will help to reach out to the grassroots,” the lawmaker said.
