PDP Charges Imo Govt On Accountability, Rule Of Law

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State has urged the Governor Hope Uzodimma-led administration to restore the confidence of the people in democratic governance.

The party also eminded the governor that the security of lives and property, accountability, transparency, separation of powers and the rule of law are key elements that define true democracy.

In a statement by the state publicity secretary of the party, Lancelot Obiaku, the PDP said the Uzodimma-led government had not shown enough intent to offer Imo people what true democracy looks like, alleging incidents of arbitrary use of force and power, lack of accountability regarding public funds, disrespect for the rule of law, corruption, and insecurity characterising the government in the last six years.

The party emphasised that these situations do not enliven the spirit of the average Imo citizen or inspire hope in democracy as the nation marks Democracy Day.

It accused the Uzodimma administration of undermining the roles of the legislature and the judiciary, stifling the local government system by keeping it in subjugation and depriving it of resources, and running a government where the executive operates  without recourse to the other arms of government.

The PDP said the governor’s style of governance negates democratic tenets and has stifled the development of the State, citing several instances.

It said, “We have seen nearly N700 billion in LGA allocations since the inception of the present regime go down the drain, with nothing to show for it — not in the development of rural infrastructure, commerce and industry, education, payment of minimum wage, pensions, and gratuities, among others.

“Our local government areas do not receive up to 10 percent of their allocations. How then would development get to the grassroots with the greed exhibited by the State government?

“Uzodimma has refused to conduct democratic LGA elections and, having appointed sole administrators in the name of LGA chairmen, has continued to starve the people of the dividends of democracy by depriving them of the government that should ordinarily be closest to them.

“For the first time in the history of the State, Imo went a year without a Chief Judge because the Governor wants to run every show without recourse to democratic institutions.

“When the post became vacant on November 16, 2024, it was incumbent upon the Governor to request from the National Judicial Council a recommendation for the appointment of the most senior judicial officer as Chief Judge, in accordance with Section 271(4) of the Nigerian Constitution.

“Instead, the governor went ahead to appoint and even swear in Hon. Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu, who was not qualified to serve as Acting Chief Judge, without recourse to the judiciary, prompting the NJC to declare the appointment of Nzeukwu as Acting Chief Judge of Imo State void.

“This development has brought the State into public opprobrium. The absence of a Chief Judge for nearly a year meant that cases could not be assigned because only the Chief Judge can do so, in addition to many other functions that only a Chief Judge can perform in a democracy.

“Today in Imo State, contracts awarded by the government are not advertised, and the Governor has shut down the Public Procurement Bureau. The process of awarding contracts is kept secret, and not even the State Assembly (legislature) has a say in them. The costs and other contract details are not made known to the people, who ordinarily are central to governance in a democratic setting.

“We have seen the government recently re-award the World Bank–Umuguma and the Nekede–Iheanwa roads in Owerri for construction. These are roads awarded in 2020 and 2023 by the same administration for tens of billions of naira without anything tangible happening on them. This is the height of theft and sleaze perpetrated by an administration with a morbid inclination towards fraud.”

While wishing Imo people and Nigerians a happy Democracy Day, the PDP urged them to keep faith in democratic governance, assuring them that a bright future lies ahead.