Reports of division and quiet mourning have emerged within the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Imo State chapter, as anxiety spreads among many local government chairmen over the rumoured September council election.
Investigations by *Edge Express* indicate that although the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) has yet to officially announce any election timetable, the possibility of a September poll has unsettled many council chairmen, with some privately expressing dissatisfaction over what they believe could mark an abrupt end to their tenure.
Multiple sources within the local government system, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment publicly, disclosed that many of the chairmen are unhappy with the reported plan, particularly those who believe they may not be returned for another term.
According to the sources, while some council officials have continued to project confidence in public, the atmosphere behind closed doors is markedly different, with many of the affected chairmen said to be deeply worried about their political future.
One source familiar with developments described the mood within ALGON as one of “quiet mourning,” saying the prospect of a fresh election has created sharp divisions among the chairmen.
> “Some are optimistic because they believe they will return, while others are already resigned to the possibility of leaving office. The uncertainty has created camps within the system,” the source said.
Another source claimed that those believed to be most unsettled are chairmen who have allegedly received indications that they may not secure the backing required for another tenure if fresh elections are eventually conducted.
Investigations further revealed that several chairmen have continued to insist that they should be allowed to complete what they regard as a full four-year tenure. According to sources, discussions are ongoing among some political stakeholders and legal practitioners over the possibility of challenging any election conducted before the expiration of the chairmen’s tenure.
Although no court action has been filed, sources said legal options are being explored and that any litigation, if pursued, may be initiated through interested parties or proxies rather than by the chairmen themselves.
Beyond the uncertainty over their political future, some of the council bosses are also said to be worried about increasing public scrutiny of local government finances.
In recent months, civil society organisations and transparency advocates have repeatedly called for greater accountability in the management of local government funds. Some groups have publicly stated that outgoing council officials should be prepared to account for statutory allocations received by their respective councils during their tenure.
Sources within the local government system said such calls have heightened apprehension among some chairmen, who fear that leaving office could expose them to demands for greater public accountability.
Political analysts believe the reported anxiety reflects the intense political calculations already underway ahead of the next phase of local government administration in Imo State.
Neither the Imo State Government nor ISIEC has, as of the time of filing this report, officially announced a date for local government elections.
However, the continued speculation has fuelled uncertainty across the state’s 27 local government areas, with many council chairmen said to be closely monitoring developments that could ultimately determine whether they remain in office or prepare for an early exit.
Efforts to obtain official reactions from relevant authorities on the claims were unsuccessful as of press time.
