Democracy Day turned sour in Imo State as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) issued a blistering statement accusing Governor Hope Uzodinma’s administration of wrecking democratic institutions and normalizing corruption, abuse of power, and impunity across the state.
The party’s Publicity Secretary, Lancelot Obiaku, described the regime as a “disaster draped in civilian clothing,” citing the absence of transparency in governance, continuous constitutional breaches, and unprecedented executive overreach that has allegedly silenced the judiciary and sidelined the legislature. The party pointed to the shocking case of Imo having no substantive Chief Judge for nearly eight months as a clear sign of Uzodinma’s disregard for lawful governance.
Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu’s appointment as Acting Chief Judge on November 16, 2024, without the endorsement of the National Judicial Council (NJC), was flagged as a constitutional violation. The NJC has since declared the appointment void, plunging the judiciary into a crisis, stalling key judicial functions, and raising questions about the legality of decisions taken during this vacuum. Only a Chief Judge, under Nigeria’s Constitution, can assign court cases—a power now frozen in limbo.
Beyond the judiciary, the PDP accused Uzodinma of muzzling public procurement procedures by dismantling the Public Procurement Bureau and awarding contracts without due process or oversight. Recent re-award of the World Bank–Umuguma and Nekede–Iheanwa roads—initially contracted in 2020 with no tangible work done—was cited as a glaring example of recycled contracts being used as cover for massive looting.
Local government governance has also collapsed, the PDP said, with no democratic elections held since Uzodinma took office. The regime’s appointment of sole administrators to run LGAs has sidelined grassroots development. Over ₦500 billion in federal LGA allocations received under his tenure is now unaccounted for, with rural areas showing no trace of meaningful infrastructure, jobs, or social programs.
The opposition further spotlighted documented cases of extrajudicial killings and human rights violations allegedly carried out by government-linked security outfits. The 2022 massacre of 14 youths from Otulu during a traditional wedding, reportedly by the Ebubeagu militia, remains unresolved. Government’s claim that the victims were terrorists was dismissed as a cover-up amid testimonies and video evidence showing they were unarmed civilians.
Citing the mass killing of over 100 residents in Agwa Community, Oguta LGA by suspected herdsmen without a single word from the state government, the PDP condemned what it called the governor’s “cold indifference to human suffering.” According to the party, Imo citizens are left with nothing to celebrate this Democracy Day but are urged not to give up on democratic principles and to continue resisting tyranny through lawful civic engagement.
