Governor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State has approved the extension by six months, the tenure of the Interim Management Committees (IMCs) of the 27 local government areas of Imo State.
He has also extended the suspension of Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, other political appointees by six months.
Recall that the Chairmen and Councillors of the IMCs were appointed on June 17, 2019 by Governor Ihedioha for an initial period of six months which ended Tuesday, December 17, 2019.
In renewing the appointment of the IMCs of the 27 LGAs, Ihedioha said it is to avoid a vacuum in governance, according to a statement signed by Steve Osuji, Special Adviser, Media to the Governor.
The governor said: “I do hereby renew the appointment of the Interim Management Committees of the twenty-seven (27) Local Governments of Imo State (names and designations attached), to manage the affairs of each of the Local Governments to avoid a vacuum in governance for a period of six months from date of the expiration of their initial appointments.”
However, the suspension of the Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, Councilors and political appointees of the Local Government Areas in Imo State, has been extended.
The extension and further suspension is consequent upon the set up of the Committee on Financial Corrupt Practices on Local Governments in Imo State (May 2011 – May 2019) to investigate allegations of financial misconduct against the management of the LGAs.
Though the Committee is yet to conclude its task, the interim report emanating from it is damning enough necessitating an extension of time by the government.
Ihedioha acted pursuant to the instrument of suspension of the local government authority in Imo State and having regard to the provisions of sections 4, 5, 6 of the Local Government Administration (Amendment) Law No.28 of 2019 and S.73 of Imo State Local Government Administration Law No. 15 of 2000 (as amended) and all other laws enabling the state governor to so act.