Uzodimma Orders Imo Council Chairmen to Hand Over as Tenure Expires

Governor Hope Uzodimma has directed the 27 local government chairmen in Imo State whose tenure expired on September 30, 2026, to hand over the administration and property of their respective councils to the Directors of Administration.

The directive followed a statement issued by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, instructing the former council chairmen to transfer responsibilities and government assets to the designated directors.

Uzodimma also advised former chairmen interested in returning to office to pursue their political ambitions in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC).

Meanwhile, ISIEC has announced a change in the date of the state’s local government elections. In a statement issued on November 7, 2026, the commission said the adjustment was intended to allow for an acceptable electoral timetable.

The revised timetable comes amid legal challenges by political parties that had approached the courts over the original election date and the commission’s electoral guidelines.

However, it remained unclear whether the parties involved in the court cases would accept the revised arrangements or continue with their legal challenges.

The development leaves the local government election process facing both an administrative transition following the expiration of the chairmen’s tenure and ongoing questions surrounding the electoral timetable.