IHEDIOHA can't be above the Law

IMO STATE: Dissolution of 27 Elected Local Government Council Chairmen and 637 Councillors, Gov. Ihedioha comes face to face with supreme court posture and the rule of Law, in an attempt to totally dismantle the structure of Owelle Rochas Okorocha...

By: Anthony Akalugo (Esq)

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One of the tempestuous moments of the Government of H.E. Rt. Hon. Chief Emeka Ihedioha, CON, in IMO State has come. The matter is all about how to dismantle the structure put in place by the former governor, which was the election of chairmen and councillors for the entire 27 LGAs in IMO State.

The Former Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha's administration empowered IMO State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) to conduct elections for the 27 Local Governments in accordance with the LGA laws of the state and the chairmen and councillors long assumed office.

A development in this time of reign of Gov. Ihedioha points at a desperate effort to dislodge all in office in the LGAs in order to appoint loyalists. It was the practice in the olden times  as governors used to hijack LGA structures to first settle loyalists. For his teaming supporters who need to oil Political machinery at the grassroots, this action is a must do, no matter how indecent it looks.

Another reason for his defying the stand of supreme court is because the local government allocation is a ready fund for the governor to use to settle political game plans. But since the president has cancelled joint account project and approved direct release of allocation into the accounts of local government, which can only be accessed by elected chairmen, it becomes a hiccup to the governor who is now contending to take control via illegality.

For emphasis, for a Governor to suspend or dissolve elected chairmen and councillors is similar to the president dissolving governors and state houses of assemblies without court process.

When the apologists of the government draw their strength from subtle comparison that after all Owelle Rochas Okorocha did it in his time, then we draw their attention to the fact that condemnation and attack that trailed the action also awaits whoever repeats such actions and therefore Mr Ihedioha cannot escape it.

Besides IMO cannot run on comparative policy of deeds in line with what a predecessor has done instead of what is stipulated according to the law. Following an argument that Owelle did same is a dumb analogy and therefore makes the Government of Rt. HON. Ihedioha unfit to succeed Owelle Rochas Okorocha.

As the supreme court has finally made a firm pronouncement, the government of Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha should realize that PDP apologists cannot make a legitimate institution illegitimate by mere pronouncement instead of approaching the courts. The only option left for them is to approach the court to declare the election that brought the 27 Local Government Council Chairmen and 637 Councillors invalid. I'm sure that this is a herculean task to accomplish.

Otherwise, they should allow the chairmen and councillors serve out their terms and respect democratic institutions instead of bullying the elected officers at the grassroots. Fact remains that the Political supporters hardly understand when a certain growth level has been added to Political institutional development and this case on the Local Government autonomy is a clear case, which must not be compromised.

How else can Gov. Ihedioha settle his supporters other than wrestling power at the LGAs and contravening the position of the supreme court? Loyalists are waiting in the wings and urging him on...

The resolution of the 8th House presided over by HON. Chinedu Offor and the further pronouncement by Gov. Emeka Ihedioha, CON, is a travesty of justice, null and void and has no locus Functus. It is not sufficient to invalidate a duly elected set of people whose mandate can only be terminated by the courts.

Hard truth is the conscience of the society where sentiments abounds. We urge the imolites and people of good will to be calm and watch the unfolding scenario as the Government of IMO State faces the wrath of the Supreme Court and the Government at the centre. Meanwhile the councillors and chairmen in  separate court rulings have procured injunctions against the government of IMO State led by Rt. HON. Emeka Ihedioha.

The rule of law must prevail...IMO must be better.