Hope Uzodimma has been sworn in for a second term as the governor of Imo State months after he was re-elected as the state’s leader.
The governor took the oath of office at around 3:24 pm at the Dan Ayiam Stadium in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
His inauguration came just minutes after Lady Chinyere Ekomaru took her oath of office as the deputy governor of Imo State.
Monday’s event had in attendance thousands of Imo residents and guests within and outside the state.
President Bola Tinubu; ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo; the Senate President Godswill Akpabio; the Speaker of the House of Representative Tajudeen Abbas, and other All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains were among those in attendance.
In his speech at the event, Uzodimma promised to exceed his performance in the first term, thanking the people of the state for their support.
Citing Apostle Paul in the Bible, Uzodimma said his quest for a better Imo will see him do more for them in his second term in office.
He also thanked President Tinubu for attending the event and praised him for always supporting him and the state.
Tinubu, who was earlier at an event in Abuja for the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, landed at the Sam Mbakwe Airport in Owerri around 1 pm on Monday.
He was accompanied by some government officials and was received by Governor Uzodimma and a host of top government functionaries and leaders in the South-East state.
Aside from Tinubu, some leaders from the region including Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State are also at the venue of the event. He is being represented by his deputy Valentine OnyekaChukwu Ibezim.
Obasanjo was also spotted at the event at the Dan Anyiam Stadium alongside other dignitaries.
The Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas also attended the event. The Anambra governor Charles Soludo was represented by his deputy Onyekachi Ibezim.
Despite the sit-at-home event in the South-East, residents of Imo State shunned it and trooped out en masse for the swearing-in event. They wore colourful attire as they marched through the streets to the Dan Anyiam Stadium.
Monday’s inauguration came about two months after Uzodimma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won a second term in office, defeating his closest rivals Samuel Anyanwu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP)’s Athan Achonu.
The governor got 540,308 votes, the PDP candidate secured 71, 503 votes, and Nneji Achonu polled 64,081 votes.
Ahead of the inauguration, Governor Uzodimma promised to be a “servant leader” to the people and residents of the South-East state.
“Dear wonderful people of Imo State, it is with profound humility that we witness this auspicious day of my inauguration for a second term as your servant leader,” Uzodimma who won a second term in office in November 2023 said on his official social media platforms.
“Your unwavering support has not only filled my heart with gratitude but has reaffirmed our collective commitment to the great Imo State. I extend my heartfelt appreciation to each one of you, for your trust and confidence. Together with my incoming Deputy Governor, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, and our dedicated team, we pledge to uphold the mandate you have entrusted to us.
“This inauguration is not mine alone; it belongs to all Imo sons and daughters, and I invite you all, wherever you may be, to join in this celebration of our shared journey.
“To our esteemed guests, we welcome you with open arms, and rest assured that Imo State is ready to extend its renowned hospitality to you. As we embark on this new term, we are ready to deliver more work for ndi Imo and our commitment is unwavering. Thank you and may our great State continue to prosper under our collective efforts.”
