By John Asiegbu
In the light of the recent wave of gruesome killings in Imo communities, the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, has mildly ordered local government chairmen and councilors across the 27 LGAs of the state to remain in their localities instead absconding with the people’s mandate to the state capital, Owerri.
Uzodinma gave the order on Thursday, 15th August, 2025, while speaking at the 3-day Retreat organized by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, for local government chairmen and Ward Councilors.
The retreat believed to have been organized to remind the LGA chairmen and councilors of their roles in local administration, provided the governor the ample opportunity to professionally drill the LGA officials on the importance of synergy between local authorities and local people in maintenance of law and order.
Uzodinma who frowned at what he described as abdication of office by the LGA Chairmen and councilors, directed them to go home and work in synergy with traditional rulers and town union presidents and rural dwellers in order to fish out criminal elements in Imo communities, pointing out that, the people know who does what in their communities.
He informed that the state government would involve traditional rulers and town union PGs in constituting the forthcoming local security outfit (Vigilante) across the 27 LGAs of the state.
” I have directed security operatives to henceforth, monitor your movements. If you abdicate your office, i will be left with no other option than to declare your office vacant” Uzodinma threatened.
He urged them to periodically hold stakeholders meetings in their respective LGAs to address issues affecting the people instead of taking cover in Owerri,
He also reminded them of the constitutional role of the local government system as the third tier of government, describing it as the closest government to the people, urging them to put first the people’s interest in all their activities
Uzodinma therefore, subtly advised the LGA Chairmen not to see their position as an opportunity to loot and enrich themselves at the expense of the people, enjoining them to see it more, as a call to quality service delivery laced with transparency, accountability and purposeful leadership.
