By Iyke-Jacobs Nwosu.
Indications are rife that the 21st September 2024, 27 local government Chairmen in Imo state may vacate their seats with Chief Dr Collins Chigozie Osuagwu ‘s plea at Imo High Court, Owerri.
Barrister Chima I. Onwukwe representing the African Democratic Congress ( ADC) Isiala -Mbano Chairmanship Candidate in the September 21st 2024 Imo state Local govt elections through Suit No. HOW / 1235/2024 before honourable Justice S. I. Opara last week adjourned the matter to 30th January 2025 after hearing submissions of plaintiff saddled with determinations of whether Chief Dr Collins Osuagwu ‘s human rights as a bonafide Citizen has being infringed with purported denial of political participation at the polls by Imo state Independent electoral Commission ( ISIEC) after successfully going through hurdles / electoral rules for Isiala -Mbano local government Chairmanship seat.
Counsel to Chief Dr Collins Chigozie Osuagwu , Barrister Onwukwe who addressed Journalist after the Court session in Owerri before weekend averred that his Clients Dr. Osuagwu and Party is not asking for declaration as the winner but that the whole process was frught with fraud and non- justifiable.
The fire brand legal practitioner described the ISIEC position on the last local government and Councilor ship elections as a charade and true rape of democracy on Imo masses as electorates got denied of their rights to decide who should superintend over the local government affairs .
Barrister Onwukwe affirmed that High Courts have absolute powers to determine when somebody’s Right is illegitimately abrogated , Denied of him or in any way such a person treated unjustly .
Chief Dr Collins Osuagwu went ahead through his counsel to state that he spent large sums of money to secure ADC ‘s endorsement only for the government through her agent , ISIEC to abandon the rules and guidelines as well as justiceable laws , Just to become Judges in their own Case / Matter.
The ADC legal representative maintained that ISIEC sumer salted and abandoned the exercise as noticed on that faithful Day. Chief Osuagwu therefore requested for compensation as damages up to #50 M from ISIEC and the Imo state government with a declaration that there were no elections that 21st September 2024.
Amongst the reliefs sought by Chief Dr Collins Chigozie Osuagwu through his counsel, are whether by Express provision of the guidelines for 2024 Local govt elections in Imo state, the Conduct of the said 2024 Local elections was not contrary to the Provisions of the said guidelines.
Whether the non – adherence of the guidelines for the conduct of 2024 Local govt elections in Imo state does not render the election invalid and tantamount to be cancelled in it’s entirety.
It’s also seeking to know whether by Receipt issued by ISIEC , Letter to ISIEC , Certificate of Return from ADC, Screened Clearance Certificate , Nomination Form / Expression of Interest form , if the Plaintiff has not fulfilled the conditions precedent to contest in the 2024 Local govt elections in Imo state conducted on 21st day of September 2024.
Meanwhile palpable fears and tension are the challenge most council members are into now.
