… Seek role in Imo Governor’s Govt
Eighteen political parties recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nigeria and operating as members of Inter Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC) on Friday pledged their unalloyed support to the government of Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State.
They did when they paid a solidarity visit to Governor Uzodimma at the Government House Owerri, calling for an all inclusive government that will involve IPAC members in Imo State.
The group had specifically come to disclose their interest in supporting Governor Uzodimma’s administration after their general election that produced new Executives.
Addressing the group at the Executive Council Chambers Government House Owerri, the governor congratulated them on a peaceful election that produced new leadership and at the same time acknowledged that “democracy cannot be sustained if the government in power does not allow institutions like IPAC to contribute their quota.”
He informed them that it is the desire of his government to “collaborate with institutions that are not only strong but also independent to enable it grow democracy to an acceptable level.”
Governor Uzodimma who was happy with the visit promised to look into the group’s proposal, particularly in the area of security and political stability of Imo State, to see how Imo leaders can contribute their quota in the interest of the people regardless of political affiliation.
Governor Uzodimma said: “Your proposal when achieved will impart on not only dissemination of information but will bring together Imo indigenes at home and in the Diaspora irrespective of party affiliation who will come to contribute their own quota towards the development of the State.”
The Governor added that he is always ready to include Imo sons and daughters who mean well for Imo people in his government so long as such people will not turn to be saboteurs and frustrate the day-day running of the government.
He charged the Chairman of IPAC Imo State Chapter who is also the Chairman of APC in the State, Chief Marcon Nlemigbo, to bear in mind that he now has dual responsibility and should ensure that both members of APC and those of other political parties are carried along in the activities of the State, noting that “to whom much is given much is expected.”
In their address read by the Secretary of IPAC, Hon. Edoziem Clinton he explained that “the body is an assemblage of all political parties in the State and are also a stabilizing factor that government can rely on in running a smooth administration.”
He noted that a particular political party cannot effectively achieve all that are required to lead a people without inputs from other stakeholders like IPAC.
To that effect, the group appealed to the Governor to include the members in his government and official policies and programmes including inviting them to government functions.
Adding his voice, the IPAC Legal Adviser, Ignatius Nlemchukwu thanked the Governor for allowing them to visit him and requested for a secretariat for IPAC, a vehicle and other administrative facilities that will enable them function effectively and add their quota and have unalloyed loyalty to the Shared Prosperity Government in Imo State.
The political parties that visited were People’s Redemption Party, Accord Party, All Progressive Grand Alliance, United Democratic Movement, Young People’s Party among others.