There are indications that the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, may have resolved to retain the Sole Administrators (SOLADs) in the LGAs as elected Local Government Chairmen.
To ensure the success of this plan, sources claim that the SOLADs have been secretly screened by Uzodimma’s Commissioner for Rural Development, Hon. Ifeanyi Oruh, under the directive of the Governor, even without the SOLADs resigning from office.
It was learned that Hon. Oruh purchased their nomination forms, with the sponsorship coming from the Governor.
Sources claimed that the list will be forwarded to the Imo APC and could be released any moment now as the party’s candidates for the September 21, 2024, Imo Council election.
This development, many believe, will cause an implosion within the Imo APC that could tear the party apart.
It was reported that aspirants have spent over ₦1.5billion on forms and another ₦1.5billion on campaign and settlements to leaders, and they would not be taking Uzodimma’s alleged plan to return the SOLADs very kindly.
The SOLADs, believed to have worked for Uzodimma during the election, where appointed to administer the affairs of the Local Governments, without input from leaders.
The list had come as a surprise because none of the names forwarded by party leaders for SOLAD were accepted.
It is believed that these are the people Uzodimma can trust to work with, which is why he wanted to returned them as elected Chairmen.
There is fears that is the leaders produce the Chairmen who would be out of the governor’s power because of their autonomy, Uzodimma would not be able to control them and the leaders can used them against the governor.
“This rumor circulated some weeks ago but was not denied. If this happens, a mass exodus will hit the Imo APC,” a top APC member said.
It is said that if this is allowed to happen, Uzodimma would have undermined the push for Local Government autonomy.
