Imo State governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has told Imo people resident in the United States of America that his sterling performance in the past three-and-a-half years and his vision for the state in the years ahead qualify him for re-election in the November 11, 2023 governorship election in the state.
The governor also said his re-election would stabilise the Imo political space given the recent adoption of the Imo Charter of Equity that is aimed at instituting orderly transfer of power beginning with his re-election.
Speaking at the annual convention of Imo State Congress of America Inc (ISCA) held in Houston, Texas, Uzodimma expressed confidence that Imo people would return him to office based purely on his outstanding performance.
The governor, who was represented by his Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba, noted that he started from nothing to post the incredible performance that has seen him transform the state in all sectors.
He said that apart from prudently managing the resources of the state, including eliminating corruption, he has ensured that his administration is not tainted by corruption, as was the case in the past.
He noted that contrary to the sing-song of the opposition concerning insecurity in the state, he has been able to tame the monster, notwithstanding the fact that insecurity in Imo is politically contrived.
“I can assure you that the security situation in the state is far better than what it was three years ago. But don’t forget that the opposition contrived the insecurity, starting with the jail break at Owerri Correctional facility. But to the glory of God and the efforts of the security agencies, we have curbed the situation,” Uzodimma told his audience.
He regretted that those who foisted the insecurity wanted to use it to slow him down but declared that they could not stop him as he has delivered both in infrastructure and good governance generally.
“From our road revolution to urban renewal, from automation of the civil service to youth empowerment and from health to education, I have made the difference and Imo people as the beneficiaries can testify to that. I believe they will reward me with reelection,” the governor said.
He called on Imo citizens resident in the US and other places across the globe to ask the opposition who are politicizing insecurity what their contribution has been towards stemming the tide even when they could not condemn the beheading of traditional rulers and other heinous crimes.
“It is easy for them to use insecurity as a campaign propaganda. But ask them what they have done to condemn what has been happening. Do they need to be governor before they can speak out against evil, or were they justifying the crimes because Hope Uzodimma and his allies were the victims?” he asked.
The governor also spoke about his vision of making Imo State the economic hub of the South with the dredging of Oguta Lake to Orashi River to Degema to the Atlantic Ocean, which he said would also enhance the economy of the South-East.
He urged Imo people to ignore those he called rabble-rousers and support his re-election for the political stability of the state.
He said the newly adopted Imo Charter of Equity, which supports his re-election after which power will naturally shift to another zone, would eliminate unnecessary rancour and acrimony in the political process.
On the same day, a former Secretary to the State Government, Sir Jude Ejiogu, endorsed Governor Uzodimma for a second tenure.
Ejiogu emphasized that Uzodimma has merited re-election even without the Charter of Equity, stating that the other candidates in the coming election are no match to the governor. He expressed satisfaction with the governor’s performance and urged Imo people to return him to office.
Also speaking, the President of the Imo State Congress of America, Mr. Sam Ude, appreciated Governor Uzodimma for sending a high-ranking cabinet member to brief them on the performance of his administration, adding that the officials of the association would be looking forward to meeting the governor physically in no distant time.
