A good-governance and accountability advocacy group, Save-Imo, has submitted an open petition to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, demanding the immediate suspension of plans to relocate the collation centre for the Nkwerre, Isu, Njaba, and Nwangele Federal Constituency.
The petition, signed by the lead activist of the group, Nze Ebubeagu Ekenulo, raises strong concerns over an official correspondence from the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Imo State dated September 16, 2026. The internal communication recommended returning the federal constituency collation centre from Amaigbo in Nwangele Local Government Area to Nkwerre Local Government Area, claiming the centre was previously moved in error.
Save-Imo criticized the rationale behind the proposed move, pointing out that vague administrative assertions of security challenges and protocol considerations do not justify uprooting an established electoral facility. The group emphasized that no specific security threat, intelligence report, or formal assessment regarding Amaigbo has been made public or communicated to local stakeholders.
The petition further highlighted a complete absence of consultation with traditional rulers, community leaders, and political stakeholders across the affected Nwangele communities. It stressed that altering electoral administrative arrangements ahead of the upcoming 2027 general election schedule threatens public confidence and institutional transparency if executed without proper local engagement.
The organization clarified that its objection is directed against the opaque administrative procedure rather than the people of Nkwerre. It called on the national leadership of the electoral umpire to halt the relocation process, publish the underlying administrative and security reports, and conduct a transparent review involving all constituency stakeholders.
