The local government elections in Imo State, previously scheduled for November 7, 2026, have been postponed indefinitely.
The Chairman of the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC), Chief Charles Ejiogu, announced the development during a stakeholders’ meeting in Owerri on Saturday.
Although Ejiogu declined to offer specific reasons for the postponement, he stated that the commission was “constrained to announce that the election will not hold” as planned. He assured stakeholders that the commission would set a new date for the polls within the shortest possible time.
The election was initially fixed for September 26, but the state government had earlier indicated it could not hold due to pending litigations.
Addressing the stakeholders, Ejiogu said: “At this juncture, having consulted widely, the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission is constrained to announce that the scheduled Saturday, November 7, 2026, Local Government Council elections will no longer hold.
“Today, the commission will afford you the opportunity to express your considered viewpoints with informed suggestions as it works towards a new date. Rest assured that within the shortest possible time, the commission will announce the new date, timetable, and guidelines.”
He continued, “On behalf of ISIEC, I hasten to doubly assure you all that at no time will the commission shirk its constitutional responsibility of conducting a peaceful, transparent, and credible Local Government Council election. This process will usher in democratically elected council chairmen and councillors; there are no two ways to it, as it is a task that must be accomplished.”
The Chairman promised a level playing ground for all political parties and called for political tolerance among candidates.
“Let me reassure the political parties and their aspirants that, as an electoral management body, ISIEC will provide a seamless, level playing ground for all chairmanship and councillorship candidates who emerge after the primaries,” he stated.
Ejiogu also revealed that the commission is collaborating with security agencies to establish an Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES). The committee will comprise the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, DSS, NSCDC, and other sister agencies to ensure safety before, during, and after the polls.
“We urge the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) to sign and uphold a peace accord, as no one or group of persons will be allowed to subvert the will of the people in the upcoming council elections,” he added.
According to the Chairman, the meeting was aimed at listening to stakeholders and seeking their empathy and understanding to collectively build safeguards for a credible electoral process.
