By Chidi Nkwopara
THE present democratic  engineering in Nigeria had over the years remained a mirage in Imo State. The reason is that the 27 local government areas of Imo State had largely been administered by appointed, instead of elected personnel for more than five years.

The Ikedi Ohakim administration actually inherited a local government system that was manned by transition committees appointed by the former governor, Chief Achike Udenwa.

Addressing Imo stakeholders last January 4, 2010, Governor Ohakim said, “Our reform of the local government administration is one of the things that has incurred us the wrath of some big men in the state. The blocking of leakages in the disbursement of local government funds has proved very effective. We have drastically reduced the incidence of judgment debts and other mismanagements running into billions of Naira. Contractors who do business with the local governments now must provide performance bonds and bank guarantees.

On the local government election, Governor Ohakim promised that his administration would conduct the polls “when it is most auspicious and the conditions must be right”, adding that “the laws would be in place, the reform processes fully institutionalized and the people, including the political parties, properly orientated to ensure the emergence of credible leaders.”

This was a promise he made to Imo people in January and not long after, he sacked the former members of Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) and appointed fresh hands to run the affairs of the Commission. The State House of Assembly equally went into business and came out with a law that would govern ISIEC and conduct of local council polls.

Determined to break the electoral jinx in the local government areas of the state, ISIEC came up with the August 7, 2010 date for the local council elections and started working towards its realization. Not many political parties believed in the ability of ISIEC to conduct the polls and chose to remain nonchalant. Others believed that the Supreme Court would eventually sack Ohakim in July 16, 2010. This did not happen.

The sad thing is that some members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) went to court seeking to  stop the council polls. One of such cases was filed before an Owerri high Court presided over by Hon. Justice Nonyerem Okoronkwo, by a group of Imo citizens led by Mr. Vitus Onyeukwu, seeking to stop ISIEC from conducting the August 7, elections.

In striking out the suit, the fiery High Court Judge maintained that the plaintiff did not disclose any reasonable cause of action and the in circumstance, struck out the matter. Justice Okoronkwo however granted the application filed by ISIEC and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prince Ken C.O. Njemanze (SAN), who represented the state government in the suit.

Reacting to the judgment, Mr. Oneme Okudoya, who stood in for Mr. Obiora Obianwa (SAN), representing ISIEC said that “all the parties are bound to respect the decision of the court”, which he said “is the last hope of the common man.”

Also, reacting in the same vein, counsel to the plaintiff, Chief Noel Agwuocha Chukwukadibia, commended Justice Okoronkwo for “speedily disposing of the matter within one month”, but opined that the plaintiff and counsel will study the judgment and thereafter decide on the next line of action.

Meanwhile a crucial meeting of the Alliance group jointly led by Chief Udenwa and Chief Ifeanyi Ararume was held July 30, 2010, in Amaifeke, Orlu, country home of teh former governor. Strong feelers from that meeting pointed towards what should be dne to stop teh local council polls among other issues. This was the issue being discussed before some people were sent out of teh hall.