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• ISIEC cites circumstances beyond its control as Assembly provides framework for possible interim council administration

By Princely Onyenwe | News Desk

OWERRI, IMO STATE — The Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) has postponed the local government elections earlier scheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2026, with no new date fixed for the exercise.

The postponement was contained in a press release dated September 23 and signed by the ISIEC Chairman, Chief Charles Ejiogu, JP. The commission informed political parties, the Inter Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC), security agencies, traditional rulers, the media, civil society groups and other stakeholders that the 2026 Imo State Local Government Council elections had been postponed.

ISIEC said the decision became necessary because of circumstances it described as being beyond its operational control. The commission added that consultations with stakeholders, particularly IPAC, were ongoing with the aim of arriving at an agreeable date for the elections within the shortest possible time. The statement, however, did not announce a replacement date.

The development coincides with action by the Imo State House of Assembly to amend the law governing the administration of the state’s 27 local government areas, following the postponement of the elections and the approaching expiration of the tenure of the current elected council officials.

Reports on the legislative action indicate that the amendment provides a framework for possible Interim Management Committees to administer the councils after the expiration of the present officials’ tenure on September 30. The arrangement is intended to address the possibility of a vacuum in local government administration pending the conduct of fresh elections.

The legislative consideration was led by the Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Kanayo Onyemaechi, who was reported to have said the amendment was intended to prevent a vacuum in the administration of the local government system. Reports also indicate that the proposed interim arrangement could provide representation from the various electoral wards and remain in place depending on when another council election is conducted.

Before the postponement, ISIEC had fixed September 26 for elections into the 27 chairmanship positions and 305 councillorship seats across 4,758 polling units in the state.

The postponement also comes against the backdrop of a legal challenge by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and four of its Imo State officials over aspects of the electoral process. The suit, filed at the Owerri Judicial Division as Suit No. HOW/1380/2026, challenges issues relating to the notice of election, electoral timetable and voters’ register compliance.

During proceedings at the Imo State High Court on September 23, the Attorney-General of the state, Paul Obinatu, reportedly informed the court that the government had decided to postpone the election. The postponement was not the result of a court order cancelling the poll, according to reports of the proceedings. The APGA case remains pending and was adjourned to October 30, 2026, for mention.

With the tenure of the current elected council officials expected to expire on September 30, the postponement leaves the administration of the state’s 27 local government areas at a transition point. ISIEC says consultations are continuing toward a fresh election date, while the Assembly’s amended law provides a framework for an interim arrangement should the councils become vacant before new elections are held.

At the time of filling this news report by 9News Nigeria, however, no new date has been announced for the Imo State local government elections.

For inquiries on this news report contact 9News Nigeria on +234 08036856526

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9News Nigeria

• 305 councillorship seats, 4,758 polling units as parties enter final preparations

By Princely Onyenwe | News Desk

OWERRI, IMO STATE — The Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) has fixed Saturday, September 26, 2026, for elections into the 27 Local Government Area chairmanship positions and 305 Ward Councillorship seats across the state.

The confirmation was contained in a statement issued on Friday, September 11, by the ISIEC Chairman, Chief Charles Ejiogu, JP, formally setting the council polls on a statewide electoral countdown.

According to the Commission, ts,he election will be conducted across 4,758 polling units in the state, covering the 27 Local Government Areas and 305 electoral wards.

ISIEC said the September 26 date is in accordance with its 360-day Notice of Election issued on September 18, 2025, pursuant to Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, as amended.

The Commission also said consultations with critical stakeholders are ongoing, while urging all registered pol,itical parties to take note of the election date and make the necessary preparations.

The announcement now puts political parties, chairmanship aspirants and councillorship candidates on a defined timetable for the grassroots contest, with campaigns and mobilisation expected to intensify ahead of the poll.

The September 26 election will determine the leadership of Imo’s 27 councils and representation across its 305 wards, making it a major grassroots political contest in the state.

With the date now officially fixed, attention is expected to shift to party mobilisation, candidate preparations, voter awareness and the arrangements required for a credible and peaceful election.

For inquiries on this news contact 9News Nigeria on +23408036856526

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