The Imo State Government has postponed indefinitely the local government council election scheduled for November 7, 2026.
The Chairman of the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC), Chief Charles Ejiogu, announced the postponement on Saturday during a stakeholders’ meeting in Owerri.
Although he did not disclose the specific reason for the decision, Ejiogu said the commission was constrained to suspend the election and would announce a new date within the shortest possible time.
He said, “At this juncture, having consulted widely, the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission is constrained to announce that the scheduled Saturday, 7th November, 2026 Local Government Council Elections will no longer hold.
“Today, the commission will afford you the opportunity to express your considered viewpoints with informed suggestions, as it works towards the new date.
“Rest assured that within the shortest possible time, the commission will announce the new date, timetable and guidelines.”
The latest postponement is the second time the election has been rescheduled. The poll was initially fixed for September 26, 2026, but the state government announced that it could not hold due to ongoing litigations.
Ejiogu, however, assured political parties and their candidates of a level playing field when a new date is announced.
He said the commission remained committed to conducting a peaceful, transparent and credible election that would produce democratically elected council chairmen and councillors.
The ISIEC chairman also disclosed that the commission was working with security agencies to establish an Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to ensure adequate security before, during and after the exercise.
The proposed committee would comprise the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other relevant agencies.
He urged the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) to sign and uphold a peace accord, warning that no individual or group would be allowed to undermine the people’s will during the election.
Ejiogu said the stakeholders’ meeting was convened to obtain suggestions and secure the cooperation of political parties and other relevant groups towards ensuring a peaceful, transparent and credible local government election.
