The Imo State Local Government Election Petition Tribunal, based in Owerri, has postponed the hearing of a case brought by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) against the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) regarding the recent local council elections. The new date for the proceedings is set for November 4, 2024.
The legal action, identified by suit number EPI/IMLG/0/9/24, was initiated by the SDP’s state chairman, Henry Ifeanyi Eluwa, who is contesting the legitimacy of the local government chairmen elections across the state.
In its petition, the SDP is seeking a complete annulment of the election results, alleging significant electoral irregularities and misconduct that they argue tainted the electoral process.
Eluwa accused ISIEC, in collusion with the ruling APC, of failing to adhere to established electoral regulations.
During the initial hearing on October 17, 2024, the APC and its candidates did not appear in court, leading the tribunal to delay the case until November 4, 2024.
Key local government areas cited in the SDP’s petition include Ezinihitte, Owerri Municipal, Obowo, and Ngor-Okpala, among others.
Additionally, the SDP is calling for ISIEC chairman Charles Ejiogu to clarify to voters how election results were generated from areas where the commission had previously declared elections would not take place due to security concerns.
Eluwa emphasized that the SDP remains steadfast in its pursuit of good governance, social justice, and electoral reform.
He also highlighted that the state electoral commission failed to follow the electoral guidelines it had issued to political parties and the public in preparation for the elections.
