By Chidi Nkwopara

OWERRI— Members of Ikeduru branch of Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA, have raised alarm over plans to impose a candidate on the party in the August 7, 2010, local government elections in the state.

Mr. Mike Ihegboro, who raised the alarm during a press conference in Owerri, also disclosed that the group was working hard to replace the name of the actual PPA chairmanship candidate, Chief Livinus Durugo, from the list of contestants.

“Already, there is a spirited attempt by some people to hoist a non-member of PPA to run for the August 7, 2010, local council chairmanship election. The people will resist this new brand of colonialism,” Ihegboro said.

He wondered how somebody that was never screened by Imo State Independent Electoral Commission, ISIEC, or the party primary will suddenly become PPA candidate.

“We have properly informed the State Security Service, SSS, the State Police Command and other security agencies about this development because we do not want to breach the peace of the area,” the PPA chieftain said.

He passionately appealed to the people of Ikeduru to come out en masse and vote for the candidate of their choice.

He warned that unless the people were allowed to choose their leaders, it may perpetuate political disharmony.

“We plead with the people to disregard the hoisting of Mr. Daniel Iwuopara. It is a distraction that is likely going to perpetuate political disharmony in the local government area if the perpetrators are not stopped now,” Ihegboro said.