APGA tells Imo High Court to stop September 26 council elections

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has petitioned the Imo State High Court to halt the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) from holding local government elections slated for September 26, 2026. In their legal suit (No. HOW/1380/2026), filed on September 16, APGA and four other state officials are requesting an injunction to prevent ISIEC and its chairman from proceeding with the election until the outcome of the main case.

The plaintiffs contended that ISIEC's 360-day Notice of Election, issued on September 18, 2025, was inadequate because it failed to specify the election date, which violates Electoral Act requirements. They also argued that ISIEC's announcement of the election on September 11, 2026, was too late and could not rectify the alleged defect in the earlier notice.

APGA referenced a 2025 Supreme Court decision on the Rivers State local government elections, asserting that adherence to statutory requirements, including the Notice of Election and voters' register provisions, is essential. The plaintiffs further contended that the Electoral Act 2022, under which the 2025 notice was issued, was superseded by the Electoral Act 2026, which took effect in February.

They questioned ISIEC's compliance with the statutory requirements for the Register of Voters, particularly the 90-day registration and revision period.