The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Imo, on Tuesday, called for a comprehensive reform of the country’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections to ensure more credible outcomes.

The party also called for social justice, fairness and good governance to address rural poverty, inequality and social exclusion.

“We stand firmly in our commitment to electoral reform, good governance, and social justice,” said the party.

The state chairman of the party, Henry Eluwa, made the call in a statement in Owerri to mark the country’s 64th independence anniversary celebration.

Mr Eluwa called for economic relief and bemoaned the high cost of fuel, transportation, electricity tariffs and food items, especially rice and beans.

He called for the government’s strategic intervention to make the items affordable to the average Nigerian.

“The SDP faithful across Imo gather in solemnly reflect on the brazen daylight robbery of democracy that occurred during the September 21 Imo local government elections.

“The blatant disregard for the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) electoral guidelines has left many disenfranchised and disillusioned,” Mr Eluwa said.

The chairman said issuing certificates of return to the elected chairs on September 23, contrary to the stipulated dates of September 2 to September 4, was a glaring violation of the electoral guidelines.

“The SDP demands that the judiciary takes swift and decisive action against ISIEC for this blatant disregard of its own guidelines.

“We urge the courts to uphold the law and ensure that those responsible for its violations are held accountable,” he said.

The ruling All Progressives Congress won all 27 chairmanship and 305 councillorship positions at the polls, boycotted by the Inter-Party Advisory Council in the state.

The council cited ISIEC’s alleged failure to abide by its own guidelines as the reason for its withdrawal from the exercise.

(NAN)