Leaders from the three local government areas that make up Mbaise – Aboh Mbaise, Ahiazu Mbaise and Ezinihitte Mbaise – on Thursday backed the second term bid of the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, describing his government as beneficial to the Mbaise Nation.
Rising from a meeting they held at the Executive Council Chambers of Aboh Mbaise, the leaders also passed a vote of confidence on the Governor after a critical evaluation of his performance since assuming office on January 15, 2020.
They unanimously agreed that Governor Uzodimma has surpassed the expectations of Imo people of which Mbaise Nation is a critical stakeholder, and so should be supported to consolidate on the already verifiable gains of his administration in Imo State.
Flanked by Chief Paul Obasi (Campaign Council Chairman and APC apex leader for Ahiazu Mbaise) and Barr. Iheukwumere Alaribe (Campaign Council Chairman for Aboh Mbaise), the Campaign Council Chairman for Ezinihitte Mbaise, Dr. Hilary Ekeh, told his kinsmen that Governor Uzodimma has shown in unmistaken terms, a commitment to sincerely serve the people of Imo State.
He gave the example of several road projects in the State, including the Owerri-Mbaise-Umuahia highway which was abandoned for years by successive administrations but now receiving accelerated attention, courtesy of Governor Hope Uzodimma’s road infrastructure renewal cutting across the nooks and crannies of Imo State.
Dr. Ekeh, a former APC Chairman in Imo State said the Mbaise Nation stands to gain more by supporting Governor Uzodimma complete his two terms in Office and called on all and sundry from the area to queue behind him to realise the dream.
At this point, the highly elated sons and daughters of Mbaise Nation in attendance comprising teachers, title holders, business men and women, youths, politicians among others, agreed to move a motion to back their choice of Governor Uzodimma as their candidate for the governorship election come November 11, 2023.
A well known son of Mbaise, Elder Charles Ogu, who is also a prominent member of different socio-political organisations in the area, including the popular Ezurezu Mbaise, moved a motion that Governor Uzodimma be adopted as the candidate the Mbaise Nation will support in the coming governorship election due to his show of love to the indigenes with his numerous developmental projects as well as his appointment of several sons and daughters of Mbaise into critical positions in his administration.
Elder Ogu further noted that because Governor Uzodimma has treated the Mbaise Nation well, it is only normal and appropriate for the people to reciprocate the love by massively queuing behind him to continue in Office to serve the people even better.
His motion was ably seconded by Hon (Mrs) Jacinta Uchechukwu, who added that Mbaise women will work to ensure that the Governor wins his reelection convincingly.
There was thunderous ayes from the leaders across party divide when Rt Hon Eddy Obinna, the Imo State House of Assembly Chief Whip and member representing Aboh Mbaise Constituency moderated Elder Ogu’s motion and Mrs. Uchechukwu’s secondment.
Speaker after speaker, such as former House of Representatives member, Rt Hon Nnanna Igbokwe supported the idea that Governor Uzodimma, Enyioma Mbaise, has worked so hard to merit the support of the Mbaise Nation for a second term and demanded that all hands must be on deck to ensure that he wins resoundingly in November 2023 Governorship Elections.
Some of the leaders comprised the three APC Campaign Council Chairmen from the three local government areas, the House of Assembly elected members of the APC, the Sole Administrators, the former Interim Management Council Chairmen, the Honourable Commissioners from Mbaise, Coordinators of Development Centres in the three Local Government Areas in Mbaise, All Progressives Congress Party Chairmen of the three Local Government Areas in Mbaise and other APC executive members from Mbaise, all Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants and other government appointees from Mbaise, including all critical APC stakeholders in Mbaise Nation.
There were also in attendance leaders from other political parties like the YPP, AA, Accord, among others.
Those who attended the meeting include but not limited to Rt. Hon Eddy Obinna (House member, Aboh Mbaise Constituency), Samuel Otibe (House member for Ahiazu Mbaise), Dr. Henry Agbasonu (House of Assembly member-elect for Ezinihitte Mbaise ), Hon Chief Sir Justus Ogu (Owerri Zonal Chairman of APC), Dr. Tony Mgbeahuruike (Honourable Commissioner for Livestock Development), Dr. Elias Emedom (Honourable Commissioner for Sanitation and Hygiene), Chief Oguwike Nwachuku (Chief Press Secretary/Special Adviser on Media to the Governor), Hon. Tony Anakani (SOLAD, Ahiazu Mbaise LGA), Hon Ogechi Anyanwu (SOLAD, Aboh Mbaise), Hon. Dr. Emma Ojukwu ( SOLAD, Ezinihitte), former House of Representatives member, Rt. Hon Nnanna Igbokwe and Chief Mike Uzodimma (Federal Commissioner).
Others include: Chief Eddy Olewike ( SA on Project Monitoring), Chief Ikem Unegbu (SA on Aviation), Hon. Tanana Biaduo ( SA Water Resources), Hon. Larry Chikwe (SA, Door to door), Hon. Obioha Okwuonu (SSA on Protocols and Passages). Hon Anuli Onyemma (APC leader from Ezinihitte) and others too numerous to mention.