The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma’s ultimatum to sack 27 local government chairmen and 305 councillors if they fail to relocate to their communities to address insecurity, calling the directive “unrealistic” amid current security challenges. ADC National Vice Chairman Chilos Godsent, in a statement, criticized the governor’s Chief Political Adviser, Perry Opara, for defending the order, noting Opara himself does not reside in his village despite his position.
Godsent argued that the disputed July 2024 local government elections have left the chairmen and councillors unpopular, making their relocation risky without addressing underlying security threats. He urged Uzodimma, state assembly members, and appointees to lead by example by moving to their villages first. The ADC proposed three measures: constructing secure residential quarters for local officials at council headquarters, empowering traditional rulers to form vigilante groups for forest patrols, and ending government interference in community leadership elections.
“Security cannot be achieved through coercion alone,” Godsent stated, emphasizing that the state’s approach ignores grassroots realities. The party warned that forcing unpopular officials into volatile areas could exacerbate tensions and insisted on collaborative, community-driven solutions to restore safety in Imo’s rural regions. You
