Imo people on Friday, December 21, defied Governor Rochas Okorocha’s politics of bitterness as they shut down the capital city of Owerri to attend All Progressives Congress campaign flag-off, which held at Hope Uzodinma’s Campaign Office along Okigwe Road not minding the scotching sun and dusty and drying harmatan season.
The Governorship candidate of APC, Uzodinma had promised to return the State on the path of progress, decrying the high level of poverty in the land when the State can boast of numerous human, material and natural resources.
He called on all and sundry to support APC at all levels, promising to work with the leaders in the State and in the South East to ensure re-election of President Mohammadu Buhari.
The National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomole used the occasion to commend the party faithful in the State for their commitment and long suffering in ensuring the party is put on the path progress.
Oshiomole also apologized to the Religious leaders in the State, urging them to disregard Okorocha’s insult and disrespect.
“We as a party respect our religious leaders and cannot afford to insult them. Freedom of worship is properly enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. On behalf of APC, we urge our religious leaders in the State to leave our party out such disrespect,” he enthused.
Speaking further, the National Party Chairman said: “I bring you a message of hope and not message of lamentations. Although things have gone wrong in recent past, we are here to restore the state on the progress. Hope will bring prosperity to Imolites.”
Mocking Okorocha, he said that gone are the days when a Governor will say there is excess money in the State for everything but not to pay salaries, allowances and pensioners.
Oshiomole revealed that part of the money extended to the State by President Buhari was to ensure the comfort of workers and pensioners.He insisted that the money must be retrieved from Okorocha.
“President Mohammadu Buhari had given more than enough money to pay workers and pensioners. I want assure you that money must be retrieved,” he said.
Speaking further, Oshiomole promised that due process will be observed in the way contracts and government businesses are conducted and will no longer be left in the hands of family and those with marriage ties. He also averred that appointment under the incoming government will be on the basis family and marriage ties.
He assured the Traditional Rulers they will be given their powers to superintended the affairs of their kingdoms with any atom of molestation or intimidation.
He tacitly warned Okorocha that the party will not stand by and watch him take the party for a ride, warning him that anyone who claims membership of APC must support APC candidate or face the music.
Coming hard on him for locking the party out of the stadium, which he said was built with Imo money, he cursed him that since he chose to copy Ikedi Ohakim who refused him the use of stadium, that the same failure that befell Ohakim will befall him.
In the same vein, speaking to some newsmen, the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Eze Madumere described Okorocha as a regret for failing Imo people considering his background and huge support he received from them to emerge the governor of the State.
He attributed Okorocha’s woeful performance to greed, nepotism, selfishness, reckless abuse of Rule of Law, knack for substandard jobs and averse to any sensible and patriotic advise.
Madumere called on the good people of Imo State not to see APC through Okorocha’s spectacle who has failed them in all fronts, subjecting them to harsh conditions with poverty pervading the State. He regretted the unjustified demolition of Eke-Ukwu Owerri, which has plunged many families into untold hardship.
He commended APC faithful for their poise to changing Okorocha’s impunity and anti people policies by going against his tyrannical disposition, assuring Imolites that their dignity will be restored by the incoming government.
Madumere described President Buhari as a man of integrity who has fulfilled most of his promises, enumerating some of his achievements in aviation, agriculture, rehabilitation and reconstructing Nigerian railway with promise of including South East in the next phase.
He also reminded Imolites of the effort of President Buhari in the ongoing construction of the second Niger Bridge, major express roads like Owerri-Aba road, Enugu-Imo-Abia-Port Harcourt express way with their huge economic importance to the people of the South East.
He therefore called on Imolites to come out en mass to support the re-election of President Buhari, the governorship candidate of the State and other APC candidates while hammering on the need to produce Igbo Presidency come, 2023 as a task Imolites and Ndi Igbo must take seriously through their votes.