By Charles Igbo
Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, had a good outing in Owerri on Saturday, July 24, 2021. It was at a Stakeholders Meeting he hosted.
The Meeting followed earlier ones he held with Stakeholders in all the 27 Local Government Areas of the State.
The attendance at the meeting of Saturday was overwhelming.
The not too-subtle warning given by the main opposition Party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, did not quite work. A number of PDP members were there.
Conspicuously present, for example, were a PDP BOT member, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, former Deputy Governors Ebere Udeagu, and Dr Douglas Acholonu.
There was also Chukwuma Ekomaru, SAN.
Their presence was to the anger of a good number of members of their Party who feel betrayed, arguing that it meant an endorsement of the Uzodimma administration. The Party is subtly threatening sanctions against them.
Understandably absent were former Governor Rochas Okorocha and Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, both, APC. Okorocha is being stripped by the Uzodinma Government of assets he, his families members and cronies, allegedly, looted from the State during his two-term Governorship. And, Ararume was not backed by the Governor to go back to the Senate which he desperately wanted. Both are bitter with Uzodinma.
But many remind them that the meeting was not an APC Stakeholders meeting; that it was a meeting for all Imo Stakeholders; that it was meant to take stock; that it was meant to brief the people of Government’s activities, especially after the unprecedented insecurity which engulfed the State in the past months.
It was an excited Governor who grabbed the opportunity with both hands to give what could pass as a “State of the State address.”
Looking confident, suave and self-assured, he started with an apology for putting off the meeting two times. He thanked them for their patience. He thanked them for standing by him, for praying for him and his administration during the terrible weeks of insecurity.
He apologised for the inconveniences the insecurity created. But said the difficult steps taken to deal with it had to be taken so as to save the people and the State. He declared that Imo people now have their State back.
He regretted the fatalities during the period, and prayed for the repose of the souls of the dead. He asked that a one-minute silence be observed in their honour. He revealed his Government had tried to cushion the pains of those they left behind.
Then, he indulged himself a little by, deservedly, blowing his own trumpet.
He talked about what his Government has done in the areas of roads, education, civil service, water, health, security, and the on-going recovery of everything illegally looted from the State.
On that, he promised his Government would never relent. He disclosed, for the first time that he prayed fervently to God to make him the Governor of the State. He said he did that because he knew he had a lot to offer the State.
God, having answered his prayers, the Governor said he would not disappoint. He emphasised that he did not become Governor to steal, or to loot the peoples’ patrimony like some unscrupulous individuals. He said he has never done that since he became Governor, and challenged anybody who knows to the contrary to go ahead and expose him. He told the people: “Our State is in good hands.”
The Governor:
“In a civilized society, certain conducts are considered reprehensible. When God throws one up as a Trustee of Public Trust, such a person must find the discipline to resist the temptation to betray that trust.
“Of all interventions to the contrary, none has had the courage to condemn recovery of property appropriated by individuals using state power.
“As we are recovering and setting standards of public service conduct, the same awaits me when I leave office. That is how to create the right values in handling power and government business.
“I believe that you are satisfied that so far, so good and that IMO IS NOW SAFE AND SECURE. Apart from the fact that there is now peace in the state, there is also visible progress. Even our worst critics will readily agree that the roads in Owerri and other parts of the state are better than they were two years ago. We thank God for that.
“I assured you in our first meeting in July last year that Imo under my watch, is in safe and in good hands. I assured you that I have come to serve not to steal your money or land or patrimony.
“One year after, I challenge anyone to expose me if I have stolen one kobo of Imo State money or have appropriated any land or property of Imo People.
“Let me be very clear on this. I prayed fervently to God to make me the Governor of Imo State. I promised Him that if he made me the Governor I will use the opportunity to serve Imo people diligently and honestly, to improve their socio-economic wellbeing. God answered my prayers and made me governor and I cannot afford to disappoint Him.
“This is why I want to reiterate before you that I did not become governor to become richer than the state after my tenure but to serve you in truth and with the fear of God. This being so, I will leave no stone unturned in my efforts to recover all Imo peoples stolen wealth. I assure you that God is with us in that direction.”
As he spoke, intermittently, he was hailed. Thereafter, those who spoke were full of praises for his achievements so far. The President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Professor George Obiozor. Former Governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim, soon to defect to the APC. HRH Eze Cletus Ilomuanya. And many more.
The icing on the cake was the vote of confidence passed on him by about 20 members of the House of Assembly.
For the Governor, it was a new beginning for him and the State on Saturday.
