“I Will Run For Second Term” – Uzodinma; Formally Declares Interest; Anyanwu Picks PDP Ticket

By Charles Igbo

The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, will be on the ballot on 11th November, 2023, for his second term in office.

The Governor, who not a few Imo people have commended for his infrastructural development in the State, especially, roads, formally declared his interest to run for a second term on Wednesday, 12th April, 2023.

Coincidentally, it was the same day Samuel Anyanwu, popular as SamDaddy, running as a sole aspirant, picked the Governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Anyanwu, still the incumbent  National Secretary of the PDP, became a sole Candidate when a former Governor of the State, removed from office by the Supreme Court, and on whom the Party revolved around, Rt. Honourable Emeka Ihedioha, inexplicably withdrew from the Governorship race. Ihedioha was conspicuously absent at the Primary Election where Anyanwu won.

For the APC, the hearts of the Party’s faithful were filled with joy when  Uzodinma formally informed the Leaders that he had accepted to run for a second term in office.

Recall that earlier in the year at a stakeholders meeting held in Owerri and chaired by erudite banker and technocrat, Dr. Pascal Dozie, Leaders from Imo State beckoned on Governor Uzodimma to go for a second term based on what they said were verifiable achievements in his first term.

Addressing the APC members comprising  the State Working Committee, Local Government and Ward Representatives at the party Headquarters on Okigwe road, Owerri, the Governor congratulated the members for their unity of purpose and commitment and enjoined them to put hands together and make the Party very strong.

He told them that all their past mistakes have been forgiven even as he reminded them that “loyalty is key to the Party,”  and “that is Politics.”

Governor Uzodimma told the excited Party members that Nigerians have taken a decision in favour of APC, hence the reason they voted to elect a President of APC extraction in the person of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He, however, asked Imo politicians to put first the interest of Igbo people and that of Imo State in all they are doing and more importantly, that they should take a cue from the 3R Government of his administration.

“A Government that is helping Imo people  where the people are seen, saying and experiencing what Government is doing.

“This, by the grace of God, is a guarantee for APC to victory all the way.”

He challenged Imo citizens to go and convince others, irrespective of political inclination, that “the primary purpose of Government is to make sure that the welfare and security of our people is guaranteed.”

He called for unity of purpose and enjoined all on the need to work together as brothers and sisters.

The Governor bemoaned the situation where people who want to lead could go so low as to kill their fellow citizens, destroy private and public property to capture power and advised those doing so to sheathe their sword “because of what posterity and the future holds for us.”

Governor Uzodimma reminded all that APC in Imo State has kept its doors open for good spirited Imolites with genuine agenda to join, noting that “APC as a Party represents the true democracy.”

He did not mince words to remind his members that some of them made the mistake during the presidential election of voting based on sentiments that has led them to nowhere, reiterating that all their past mistakes are forgiven.

He then congratulated all for a rethink on a united APC and urged everybody to be careful this time.

The Governor reminded the State Working Committee and other members on the need to raise strongly-worded congratulatory message to the President-elect and his deputy for their resilience, focused nature and positive determination that helped them to emerge and win the election.

The Governor recalled how the security situation his administration met on assumption of office affected the efforts of government, but thanked God that despite all odds, he was able to surmount the situation and moved on.

He said now that the situation is normalizing, “things will be getting better and committed members will benefit more.”

He cautioned those who are using their offices to defraud Government to desist “because soon the long arms of the Party and that of the law will be after them.”

The Governor reminded the leadership of the APC at the Ward and Local Government levels that they are ambassadors of the Party and should work hard to market the Party positively by doing the right things always.

He thanked the National leadership of the Party for the confidence they reposed on him and the State Working Committee in Imo State and assured them they will not be disappointed.

The Governor said: “Ideas rule the world.This is the time for APC to reign and it is progressing with such ideas as the ones that protect the interest of Nigerian citizens as encapsulated in the social intervention programmes of the Federal Government.”

He noted that by the time he leaves office there will be no difference in infrastructural development whether in Orlu, Owerri or Okigwe zones and that the road infrastructure he is providing is meant to boost the economy of the people.

“I am going to be a successful former Governor,” he declared amid thunderous applause.

Addressing the crowd of APC members earlier, the National Vice Chairman South East Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu thanked them for their commitment and total support to the Party, noting that “the National Body has unanimously agreed that Governor Hope Uzodimma is the only Imo APC Gubernatorial Candidate for the November 11, 2023 election in Imo State.”

He enjoined them to continue to support APC in order to finish what the Party has started.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of APC in Imo State, Dr. MacDonlad Ebere said members had gathered to thank the Governor and appreciate him for making their Party strong and popular.

He noted that “under the leadership of the Governor APC now enjoys and experiences a peaceful, secured and level playing ground.”

He thanked the Stakeholders for their support and leadership qualities and also congratulated the Party for winning the Presidential election of February 25, 2023 and House of Assembly on March 18, 2023.

Adding their voices to the eulogies in thanking the Governor for accepting to run for a second term, leaders after leaders who spoke in behalf of their people reminded him that they are with him all the way.

Among those who spoke included former Governor of Imo State,  Dr. Ikedi Ohakim and Elder Statesman, Dr. EJK Onyewuchi (Okigwe zone), Chief Jerry Chukwueke, retired General Chikwe and Chief Malcolm Nlemigbo (Owerri zone) and Chief Barr. Rex Anunobi (Orlu zone).

They were in agreement that “one good term deserves another,” and then thanked Governor Uzodimma for his superlative performance so far.

They all committed to mobilizing Imo people from the three zones to ensure overwhelming support and peaceful reelection of the Governor in November.