From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
Despite spate of insecurities that have become a daily bane in Imo State and it’s environ,Governor Hope Uzodimma has assured the populace that his government has made adequate plans to guarantee the protection of their lives and properties during and after, the Saturday 25th February and March 11th,2023 general elections.
Uzodimma gave the assurance yesterday in Owerri, Imo State capital at a prestigious hotel during a crucial meeting he held with his political party’s, APC chieftains that comprised Ward Executives, Local Government executives, Zonal Executives, State Executive members, Sole Administrators, Development Centre Chairmen and former Interim Management Chairmen of the Councils in the State.
It’s pertinent to recall that the reassurance is important in view of the daily reported killings, kidnappings, arson and abduction prevalent in the State occasioned by alleged bandits and unknown gun men said to be targeted to mainly APC members.
He assured the Party leaders that “Government will provide sufficient security to stop all forms of threats and harassment of innocent citizens and prevent them from voting their preferred candidate and party in the forthcoming elections.”
The Governor who said he was aware of reports of intimidations, persecutions, harassments and threats said “we will have peaceful elections in Imo State and no person or group of persons will stop Imo people from exercising their electoral responsibilities.”
He bemoaned the despicable situation where it seemed that only APC men and women are being hunted for and killed, lamenting that “party members properties are being destroyed for no reason, all instigated by the opposition political parties using unknown gunmen, this situation must stop”.
The Governor commended the dexterity and resilience of the APC members in the State for coming out whenever they are invited, noting that “in the face of harassment you still stand firm and have trust in the Party you belong.”
Uzodimma said it point blank to the audience of the sell attended meeting that nothing will push him into joining the alleged evil men and women in the killing of innocent Imo citizens, rather, he assured the Party faithful that his government will stop at nothing in fishing out those behind the killings in Imo State.
According to him, “APC is at the National, APC is in Imo State and election is about the people, therefore APC stands as a Party to beat. When the opposition discovered that it is difficult to defeat the Party in power they decided to create what they called distractions.”
The Governor reiterated that his relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari was instrumental to Imo State getting the necessary support and financial grants to carry out her responsibility, noting that the efforts of his administration in the areas of shoring up Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) made it possible for his government to make the first advance payment of N10 billion to Craneburg Construction Company for the construction of the Owerri/Okigwe and the Owerri/Orlu roads.
He advised the party’s chieftains to go home and assert their positions, take ownership of their Wards as the ruling Party based on the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic as amended, assuring them of total support of the State Government under his watch.
Welcoming the Governor to the meeting, the Chairman of APC in Imo State, Dr. MacDonald Ebere said that the Party leaders from the 305 Electoral Wards were all gathered to listen and take directives from the Governor as the leader of the Party in the State regarding the forthcoming elections, promising that by time they leave the meeting “all their fears and anxieties must have been assuaged.”
Among the eminent personalities present at the Meeting were the Deputy Governor, Prof. Placid Njoku, the Speaker Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emeka Nduka, Members of the State House of Assembly, the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu, the Chief of Staff, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, members of the State Expanded Executive Council and some Apex Leaders of Imo APC.
