THE Imo State Chairman of United Progressive Party (UPP), Dr John Egbuchulam has called on Nigerians to elect only candidates with zero tolerance for corruption during the 2015 general election.
Egbuchulam, who made the call over the weekend in an interview with newsmen in Owerri, said corruption remains a major impediment to Nigeria’s quest for growth and development.
“There are very few countries of the world that are as blessed in terms of human and mineral deposits as Nigeria, and yet people are suffering greatly here.
“Nigeria in my estimation is a wealthy, but unhealthy nation due to massive corruption that is plaguing various departments of our national lives’’, he said.
The UPP chairman noted that 2015 general election offers another opportunity for Nigerians to do the right thing by electing credible leaders.
“if the right people are given opportunities at federal, states and council level, things would get better.’’
Egbuchulam expressed optimism that the party’s governorship candidate in the state, Dr Osomold Ukanacho, would win the 2015 election.
“UPP has a tested and trusted hand whose track record present him as a thorough bred son of the soil who equally understands what Imo people needed’’, he said.
He said the crisis in some political parties after the primaries, indicated that the only choice for people of the state remains the UPP.
Egbuchulam dispelled rumours that the party would drop its gubernatorial candidate, saying that Ukanacho’s name had been submitted to INEC.
“The only candidate we intend to substitute is Hon Mrs. Eudora Igwe (Imo West Senatorial candidate) who died last week.
“We have the structure, and best characters for all positions in Imo; UPP has one candidate for governor, 3 senatorial positions, 10 House of Reps and 27 for the State House of Assembly positions’’, the chairman said.
He said that UPP had also endorsed Chief Chikwas Okorie as its presidential candidate, and urged the electorate to vote wisely in 2015.
