***We’re reaching our to aggrieved politicians for peace — Gov
By Chesa Chesa
Following the resurgence of insecurity in Imo State, President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday summoned Governor Hope Uzodinma to apprise him of the security situation.
The President has subsequently approved the deployment of more security personnel from Nigeria Police Force, Department of Security Service (DSS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, as well as additional arms and ammunitions.
The Governor was summoned following the latest armed attacked in Imo targeting some policemen and stations, and the home of home of Profeasor George Obiozor, President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo.
Fielding questions from State House correspondents after the meeting, Uzodinma said that Buhari “took seriously my recommendations and indeed, he immediately gave approval to all that which includes increase in manpower of security agencies and then logistics supports ranging from additional arms and ammunitions.”
Uzodimma said his administration had continued to reach out to aggrieved politicians in the State in a bid to carry them along so that they can contribute their quota to the growth and development of the State.
He said: “Since January 2020, when I came to office, one of the things I initiated was quarterly stakeholders meeting. As a matter of fact, I have had six stakeholders engagements. And the purpose of that engagement is to create a platform where the stakeholders will meet and will also act as an opinion poll to involve people in governance and that has yielded a lot of positive results.
“Arising from that, we have also done one on one engagement with some critical stakeholders. For those who are aggrieved, I don’t know if those grievances are against government or against individuals.
“But those who think they are part of the political system that are not contributing positively to the current administration, we’re also reaching out to them. Of course, I know if anything is to go by, some of the reasonable ones have started coming back.
“If you have been following the the politics of Imo state of late, given the evolution we have just deployed to rescue the infrastructure, that were almost absent and our achievements so far, it has attracted a lot of support from our people.
“Leaders from Imo State are together and united in commending our efforts. And if you can go to Imo State and be on ground, apart from some dissenting voices that are on your social media, I think the state is almost recovered and we’re doing very, very well.
“So, there’s no need at this point in time for people to be aggrieved over what is not in existence. All I urge people to do is to be part of the growing concern, contribute your quota towards the development of the state and support the government of the day to deliver democratic dividend to our people.
“All these grievances here and there, what is the origin of the grievances? Why are people not able to look at the reality on ground. And I know that at this point in time, globally speaking, that we must not be left behind as a country, we must also not be left behind as a State.
“We need to unite ourselves, we need to be realistic with ourselves, we need to be proactive in making sure that our tomorrow is better.”
On allegation that he was culpable in the insecurity in the state, he argued that his administration with all the paraphernalia of office does not engage non-state actors in its attempt to keep peace.
Uzodinma stated: “Thank God that you called us government. And I don’t know how a government with paraphernalia of office, the Air Force, the Navy, the DSS, the Civil Defense will now go for non actors to be used for governance.
“So, as civilized people you also represent the elites, so you should be able to advise such minds to reason well and think well. Because the only person that officially has power of cohesion is Government.
“If anything is to go by, we are a God fearing government. That is why we have not used force as the only way of controlling the violence in Imo State.
