By Baron Ike
Deputy Governor of Imo State, Eze Madumere, Monday shone like a star as he stole the show during the maiden All Progressives Congress (APC) State Executive Council, which held in New Concorde Hotel, Owerri, Imo State.
The Deputy Governor who declared the meeting open commended the Chairman of the party, Dr. Hilary Ekeh and his executive members for pulling through the first ever State Executive Council (SEC) meeting since the formation of the party in the State, saying that it signals better things to come.
Imo women chanting support for Madumere during and after the meeting.
He also used the opportunity to congratulate the Party Executive members for the elongation of their tenure, occasioned by the decision of the National Executive Council.
He described it as well thought-out, commending the National Chairman of the party, John Odigie-Oyegun, National Organising Secretary, Osita Izunaso and others for a job well done.
Madumere urged all the stakeholders of the party to join hands to ensure there is peace, by working in unity, irrespective of what might be their aspirations, saying that the party remains supreme.
He decried the lukewarm attitude in the party as there has not been effort in membership drive as everyone is deeply engaged in personal project.
Meanwhile, the party also used the opportunity to raise funds for the party, which created room for all and sundry to make pledges so as to keep the activities of the party running, especially this season of electioneering.
Among other heavy weights in the meeting were Chief Ifeanyi Ararume, Chief Emeka Nwajiuba, Chairman, TETFUND, Chief Felix Idiga, Jasper Azuatalam, Executive Director; Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Acho Ihim and his Deputy, Ugonna Ozuruigbo among others.
High point of the event was the colourfully well dressed Imo women who besieged the venue of the stakeholders meeting to usher out Madumere with victory songs.
It was like a presidential campaign as the women took a long walk to Madumere’s official residence insisting on an experienced and seasoned administrator to take over from Govenor Rochas Okorocha.
Addressing the number two citizen of the State on the reason they thronged to the venue, Dr. (Mrs.) Nkechi Okoro said they are of Rescue Missionaries who would not want the good legacies of the Rescue Mission to be confined to the dustbin of history.
She described the Deputy Governor as a very calm leader, experienced, respectful, cultured and a seasoned administrator with a vision to take the State to its right position in the nation.
“We want a Governor who has the capacity and competence to harness both material and human resources that are abound in the State and we cannot afford to toil with the future of the State in whatever guise.
“That is why when we heard about the Stakeholders meeting, we organised ourselves to show our Deputy Governor that he is not alone in this race. We have seen others are strong but the women in our frailties, we are ready to mobilise to vote into power a man who can listen to us and carry us along in his policies and programmes,” she said.