As the political environment reactivates into crescendo following the INEC scheduled governorship election by Saturday 11th of November, Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has declared that he deserves reelection based on his sterling performance in the last 43 months and his vision for the state in the years ahead.
Uzodimma said his reelection will also bring stability to the political space since the newly adopted Imo Charter of Equity will bring about orderly transfer of power beginning with his reelection.
According to Mr. Collins Ughalla, a media aide to the Governor informed The Authority that the Governor spoke in far away United States of America during a one day social interaction with some Imo State stakeholders based on the invitation by a former Secretary to the State Government, Sir Jude Ejiogu, who equally endorsed the governor’s second tenure ambition, saying that other candidates are no match to him.
Speaking at the annual convention of Imo State Congress of America Inc (ISCA), held in Houston, Texas, Uzodimma, expressed confidence that Imo people will return him to office based purely on his outstanding performances.
The governor, who was represented by his Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba, noted that he started from nothing to post the incredible performances that have seen him transform the state in all sectors.
He said that apart from prudently managing of the resources of the state, including eliminating corruption, he has ensured that his administration is not tainted by corruption, as was the case in the past.
The Governor noted that contrary to the sing song of the opposition concerning insecurity in the state, he has been able to tame the monster, notwithstanding the fact that insecurity in Imo is politically contrived
According to him, “I can assure you that the security situation in the state is far better than what it was three years ago. But don’t forget that the opposition contrived the insecurity, starting with the jail break at Owerri Correctional facility. But to the glory of God and the efforts of the security agencies,we have curbed the situation,” Uzodimma told his audience.
He regretted that those who foisted the state of insecurity wanted to use it to slow him down but declared that they could not stop him as he has delivered in both infrastructure and good governance generally.
According to him, “from our road revolution to urban renewal, from automation of the civil service to youth empowerment and from health to education, I have made the difference and imo people as the beneficiaries can testify to that. I believe they will reward me with reelection.”
He called on the people to question the opposition who are politicizing insecurity of their contribution to stem the tide even when they could not condemn the beheading of traditional rulers and other heinous crimes.
“It is easy for them to use insecurity as a campaign propaganda. But ask them what they have done to condemn what has been happening. Do they need to be governor before they can speak out against evil, or were they justifying the crimes because Hope Uzodimma and his allies were the victims?” he asked.
The governor also spoke about his vision of making Imo State the Economic hub of the South with the dredging of Oguta Lake to Orashi River to Degema to Atlantic Ocean, which he said will also enhance the economy of the Southeast.
He urged Imo people to ignore those he called rabblerousers and support his relection for the political stability of the state.
He said that with the newly adopted Imo Charter of Equity, which supports his reelection after which power will naturally shift to another zone, unnecessary rancour and acrimony will be eliminated in the political process.
However, the former SSG, Sir Jude Ejiogu, emphasized that even without the charter, Uzodimma has merited reelection.
Ejiogu, who was one of the APC Governorship aspirants that stepped down for the governor in 2019, expressed satisfaction with his performance and urged Imo people to return him to office.
Also speaking, the president of the Imo State Congress of America, Mr Sam Ude, expressed appreciation to Gov Hope Uzodimma for sending a high cabinet member to brief them on the performance of his administration.
Ude said that apart from being satisfied with the briefing, the officials of the association will be looking forward to meeting the governor physically in no distant time.
