Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma’s re-election bid got a boost on Thursday night as friends of the governor gathered at the Landmark Event Centre in Owerri, the state capital, to raise funds to support the cause.
The donors, including Dr. John Bosco Ozigbo, Sir Benneth Nwokejiobi, Chief Tony Chukwu, Prince Charles Amadi, HRM E. C. Okeke (Eze Imo), among others, some of who donated for themselves, their families and group of companies, said they were spurred by their desire to be part of the governor’s historical legacy arising from his sterling leadership qualities.
The total amount realised at the fundraiser convened by a former governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, has been conservatively put at N1 billion, according to a statement by Oguwike Nwachuku, Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Governor.
An elated Uzodimma said he was humbled by the quantum of encomiums and, more importantly, money raised at the event, noting that if all that was needed for the election was money, then the election should be considered done and dusted given the amount raised.
“I feel very challenged by the commendations tonight and I think it will provoke new appetite in me to do more for our state,” the governor said.
“I want to say thank you to everyone, more especially to the convener and the organisers. The Almighty will replenish every money spent this night,” he said.
Chairman of the occasion, former Chief of Army Staff, Rtd. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, thanked the convener and all the governor’s friends, saying they were “not supporting the governor as a person, but supporting his good works Imo State”.
Ihejirika urged the organisers to extend the invitation to those who appreciated what the governor had done but were not physically present at the event so that they could be part of the process for more good works.
He cited the revolution the governor caused in road infrastructure in Imo State as well as his efforts in bringing the Igbo in Nigeria together for a better society.
He said some of his retired colleagues in the military and police were proud of Uzodimma’s achievements and had asked him to support the governor’s reelection with the sum of N5 million.
Ihejirika, who also gave the closing remarks, said he was overwhelmed by the generous donations and thanked everyone, including those who travelled long distances to be part of the event.
“Let me say that we have all invested. It is not the money that will bring in the votes, but we must take our time to talk to different persons and encourage those whose roads are yet to be done that theirs would soon follow, assuming yours has been done. The exercise will encourage the other governors to do more for their people. We just have to talk to ourselves and our groups,” he said.
Convener of the event, Ohakim said he was humbled by the turnout despite the short notice, explaining that the event was organised for three reasons – firstly, “as friends of Hope, because Hope has done well for Imo”; secondly, Uzodimma’s “achievements go beyond the projects and touch on the leadership lessons from the governor”; and thirdly, “because we want to be part of history and to inform the governor that we will be with him always due to the marvellous history he has left behind in Imo”.
He reeled out Uzodimma’s friends from within and outside the country, noting that they were delighted to have come from all over the world to say well done to the governor.
He urged Uzodimma to “continue to show love to everyone”, including those who have refused to recognise the good things the governor has done in Imo State.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, Chairman of the Organising Committee, Senator Osita Izunaso, said the governor’s friends were convinced he had done well to deserve a second term, hence the occasion.
He appreciated the governor’s friends who gathered from all over the country and outside to be part of the activity.
Also giving the vote of thanks later, Izunaso appreciated everyone who participated in the fundraiser and asked those who had not done so to do so “as the window for donation will be shut in seven days’ time”.
He announced a donation of N50 million from members of the Planning Committee and another N20m from some of his colleagues in the National Assembly.
