The Imo State Government has postponed indefinitely the Local Government elections earlier scheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2026, the High Court of Imo State sitting in Owerri was told today, Wednesday 23 September 2026.
The development came during proceedings in the suit filed by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and four of its Imo State officials against the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC), its Chairman and the Attorney-General of Imo State.
According to an update on today’s proceedings made available to bibncollar.com by the plaintiffs, the Attorney-General of Imo State, Paul Obinatu, informed the court that the government had decided to postpone the elections in view of the substance of APGA’s case and the need to comply with applicable mandatory provisions of the law.
The plaintiffs’ case centres on allegations that the process leading to the September 26 polls failed to comply with statutory requirements governing local government elections.
The Attorney-General was reported to have told the court that the government’s decision would also ensure that the plaintiffs were afforded an opportunity to participate in the elections.
The development means the September 26 poll will no longer proceed as previously scheduled, although no new election date has been announced.
Today’s development did not arise from an injunction granted by the court. The application seeking to restrain ISIEC from conducting the election remains part of the pending litigation, but the postponement was communicated to the court as a decision of the Imo State Government.
During the proceedings, the Motion for Substituted Service dated September 16 and filed on September 17 by the plaintiffs was withdrawn and consequently struck out.
The application had been overtaken by events because the defendants had already been served with the court processes.
The Attorney-General also informed the court that the defendants had filed a Notice of Preliminary Objection, challenging both the competence of the processes filed by the plaintiffs and the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter.
He further told the court that the period within which the defendants are entitled to respond to the plaintiffs’ processes was still running.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to 30 October 2026, for mention.
Counsel to the plaintiffs, Chief C.I. Asika Ilobi, who appeared alongside K.I. Uzoaganobi and U.F. Njoku, told the court that the plaintiffs would not withdraw the suit at this stage despite the postponement of the election.
According to the available update, Asika Ilobi said withdrawing the action would be premature, as the plaintiffs intend to ascertain whether the relevant statutory requirements would eventually be complied with.
He said the plaintiffs would report back to the court on the next adjourned date on the level of compliance with the applicable electoral requirements.
The Attorney-General appeared for the defendants alongside N.C. Eronini, C.U. Ahaneku and N.C. Njemanze.
It will be recalled that APGA and four of its Imo officials had approached the High Court in Suit No. HOW/1380/2026, seeking to stop ISIEC from conducting the September 26 council elections.
The other plaintiffs are APGA State Chairman, Hon. John C. Iwuala; State Organising Secretary, Engr. Udensi Samuel Iheanyi; State Secretary, Pastor Alphonsus Eberendu; and State Woman Leader, Hon. Mrs Nkasi Obi.
The party challenged, among other things, the validity of a “360 Days Notice of Election” issued by ISIEC in September 2025 and a subsequent September 2026 announcement fixing September 26 as the election date.
APGA argues that the electoral process must comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and has also raised questions concerning compliance with statutory requirements relating to the voters’ register.
The court has not determined the merits of those claims, while the defendants have indicated that they will challenge the competence of the action and the court’s jurisdiction.
Today’s development therefore leaves the substantive case pending despite the government’s decision to postpone the polls.
The next proceedings are scheduled for 30 October 2026.
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