...I have kept faith with my vows, says Governor
The creme de la crème in Imo State on Thursday urged Governor Hope Uzodimma to seek re-election in the light of the good work he is doing in the State which they said is unprecedented within three years of assuming office.
The leaders, from different spheres of human endeavour across the three geopolitical zones that make up Imo State took the position at the Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu Square, New Owerri, during the 7th Edition of Imo Stakeholders’ Forum chaired by banking guru, Dr. Pascal Dozie.
The leaders who spoke after listening to Governor Uzodimma deliver his speech with the theme: Accountability in Governance, not only adopted him to continue being their governor due to his people-oriented programmes and sense of dedication to duty, but moved a motion urging the governor to seek re-election.
Dr. Dozie had earlier told the leaders to reflect deeply before making their contributions over the content of the governor’s stewardship, which he also acknowledged were meant to serve the Imo people well. He noted, particularly, that by budgeting more funds for infrastructure, Governor Uzodimma has not left any one in doubt that he was out to serve the people.
He cautioned that the responsibility of making Imo State great was not the duty of the governor alone, but also that of the stakeholders and the entire Imo people. He said “in the wisdom of Governor Uzodimma, it was an honour to be invited to be part of the decision making of the State.”
The first leader to make a remark was the Founder and former Chairman of Seplat Petroleum, Dr. Ambrose BC Orjiakor, who said that Governor Uzodimma has demonstrated in so many ways that he has the interest of the people of Imo State at heart.
Like Dr. Dozie, Orjiakor said it is from the budgetary allocation of a state that one can assess the government, noting that Governor Uzodimma has shown capacity within the short period of being in office, that service to the people is possible.
Orjiakor also urged Imo people to support the government and the Governor by creating a peaceful atmosphere.
The traditional ruler of Ihim autonomous community in Okigwe zone who is also the Chairman of the Board of Ben Uwajimogu College of Education, Eze Oliver Ohanweh said as an accountant, he scored Governor Uzodimma excellent in all the sectors going by the circumstances under which he had operated and the level of decay that was Imo State before Uzodimma came on board.
Eze Ohanweh however told the audience that he would not want to wait for the governor to remind the people that he has been exceptional in his service to Imo State, hence he was calling on him, on behalf of the traditional rulers, to get prepared to continue in office by seeking re-election.
It was entrepreneur and business mogul from Owerri zone, Chief Henry Njoku (Haritex), who, on behalf of the business class, moved the motion that Governor Uzodimma be adopted for re-election.
Chief Njoku’s motion was immediately seconded by Ifeanyi Agwu from Okigwe zone and when the motion was subjected to popular view, was overwhelmingly supported and adopted.
But the highpoint of the approval given to Governor Uzodimma to seek re-election came from foremost businessman, politician and elder statesman, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who told the audience that he was so happy to be part of the forum.
His words: “I am very happy. I have never had a day as happy as this. This is the first time a governor is telling us what he has done in such lucid manner.”
Turning to Governor Uzodimma Chief Iwuanyanwu said, “I am very proud to be your leader, and your father as you call me. Hope, you are God’s sent to the people of Imo State. You have done very well and you have my support anyday.”
Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Maurice Iwu in his vote of thanks agreed with those who said Governor Uzodimma has done well.
He said that the Governor is not only humble in office but at all times, and has shown that accountability is the hallmark of service to the people. Recalling that the first civilian Governor of Imo State, late Sam Mbakwe did well in office, Iwu said, “but we have never had it so good under Uzodimma.”
Iwu then turned to Uzodimma and added: “Be courageous. Run for second term in office. Nothing will happen to you.”
Earlier, Governor Uzodimma had taken the leaders on his journey that began January 15, 2020, highlighting the rot that was called Imo State, and how he was able to exhume the “dead body” from the grave and worked tirelessly to breathe life into her.
He said his only regret was that his dream of taking Imo State to an unprecedented level was the politically contrived insecurity that slowed him down because of the drain the situation had on the finances of the State.
He reiterated his appeal to those sponsoring insecurity in Imo State, letting blood, kidnapping people and creating fear in the indigenes using one form of criminality or the other, to have a rethink because “while politicians will come and go, Imo will remain.”
The Governor reiterated his earlier position not to put his hand in the public till because of selfish consideration, reminding Imo people that three years down the road, nobody can associate him with any scandal of corrupt enrichment, land grabbing et al.
He said, however, that he has no regret spending the scarce resources of Imo State for the good of the people.
Governor Uzodimma who noted that he has kept faith with his promises to Imo people, said his administration has made impact in virtually all sectors in about three years in office and thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the love and support he has shown to Imo people.
He highlighted the works and road infrastructure, education, agriculture, civil service, judiciary, legislature, health, commerce and industry, environment, mines and Solid minerals, tourism, culture and creative arts, women affairs, transportation, revenue generation, human capital development and youth empowerment, information, security among others, as areas reasonable impact has been recorded by his government.
In laying before the people the details of his scorecard that lasted for more than two hours, Governor Uzodimma said he has not departed from the vows he took in 2020.
“If I have kept faith with my vows to serve you for the good of all, and if you have affirmed that indeed we have delivered on our promises and that the difference is clear, the question is, What Next? I think on this question, the ball is in your court.”
” My esteemed Ndi-Imo, I can rightly and proudly declare before you here and now that yes, we have made a difference in all sectors; the civil service, infrastructure, automation of fiscal processes, attraction of Federal presence, and in open , transparent, credible and inclusive government,” Governor Uzodimma added.
Stakeholders from opposition parties like former Aviation minister, Dr. Kema Chikwe (PDP), Chief Charles Ahize (LP) among others graced the occasion.