Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, recently announced that aspirants who purchased forms for the local government elections under the banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and were not selected as candidates of the party will start receiving refunds from Monday.
The announcement, made through Ambrose Nwaogwugwu, the Special Assistant on Electronic and Creative Media to the Governor, was met with great interest and reactions across the state. Governor Uzodimma promised that only funds spent on the purchase of party forms will be refunded, excluding expenses incurred without receipts such as consultancy fees.
In his remarks, the Governor stressed: “All those who contested for the upcoming elections for the positions of councillor or council chairman in the local government elections and were not selected, will be refunded their money from tomorrow (Monday). We will not refund those for whom you have not provided receipt (for consultations).”
He also urged the aspirants to be persistent, objective and consider the greater interest of the party and the state above individual interests. He also called on leaders whose expectations may have been disappointed to be patient with the party and make sacrifices for the sake of the party and the state.
Furthermore, the Governor reassured the public that the elections will go ahead as scheduled by the Imo State Electoral Commission (ISIEC) on September 21, 2024. This statement is a testament to his commitment to supporting the democratic process and ensuring that the local government elections are conducted in a transparent and fair manner.
In conclusion, this initiative of reimbursement of candidacy fees demonstrates Governor Uzodimma’s commitment to transparency and fairness in the electoral process. It also enhances the confidence of party members and aspirants in the local political system, underscoring the importance of integrity and accountability in politics. Hopefully, this measure will help strengthen democracy and citizen confidence in the electoral process in Imo State.