Time table for Imo Council election out soon, says Uzodimma

 

. Urges new APC leadership to embark on reconciliation

 

 

From Victor  Duruamaku  Owerri

 

the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma has given indication that local government area election in the state is about to hold.

 

He gave the hint on Sunday while addressing the congregation after Church Service at the Government House Chapel, Owerri, Imo State.

 

“Soon the State Independent Electoral Commission will roll out the time table for the conduct of LGA elections in Imo State,” he said, adding that government will “encourage them to properly constitute the various organs at the local government areas for effective and efficient administration at the grass root levels.”

 

The Governor used to opportunity to, again, remind Imo people not to obey any directive on sit-at-home “as it is only a ploy by the opposition to distract and disorganise the people and government.”

 

“They only inflict pains and discomfort on our people, especially those on daily income who must go out every day to feed their families.”

 

The Governor said government has already put strategies in place to address the various agitations of Igbo people, insisting that “to achieve them it must not be through violence or by killing ourselves.”

 

His words: “If really what we are looking for is to ensure Igbos are not marginalized or to have our own country, we have to be alive to achieve such, and not by killing ourselves.

 

“More so, what we have now is Nigeria. It is from Nigeria that we are asking for our fair share and equity, for justice and fairness, therefore we must submit to the sovereignty of the country.”

 

He said he is a product of the Nigerian Constitution, noting, “I am committed to defend the Constitution of Nigeria, I am under oath to defend it and will continue to defend it.”

 

Governor Uzodimma asked Imo people not to be afraid of the activities of the political jobbers who “hide under the guise of IPOB and ESN and hire bandits, import killers into Imo State to kill our innocent brothers and sisters.”

 

He informed that government was “already collecting intelligence and was committed to making sure our people don’t die in vain.”

 

He encouraged people to come out tomorrow (Monday) and be rest assured that nobody will molest them.

 

Governor Uzodimma reaffirmed that government is available and also willing to listen to genuine complaints from her citizens. “Government and democracy are there for the people, therefore while killing government one is as well killing the people.”

 

He said his government would not encourage violence, bloodletting and irresponsibility in the name of politics, insisting that his administration is determined to maintain law and order.

 

Governor Uzodimma charged the leaders and our traditional rulers at the various levels to join hands with Government and speak out and more importantly, “condemn evil as both God and man detest anything evil.” He noted that, “the only way we can be grateful to God is by conducting ourselves in a manner that Gold will be happy.”

 

Governor Uzodimma had again also thanked the people of Imo State for their support since assumption of office and commended the APC members in the State in the way and manner they conducted themselves during the State Congress that was devoid of rancour and acrimony.

 

He reiterated that he has come to serve and not to be served, and that “together Imo people will get the best of dividends of democracy.”

 

He commended the new APC Chairman for Imo State, Macdonald Ebere and his team as well as the immediate past Chairman, Chief Marcillenus Nlemigbo for his maturity and the manner he coordinated the Congresses at the Wards and Councils in Imo State and prayed God to continue to guide them in their individual and collective endeavours.

He however challenged them to constitute a party executive that will embark on political evangelism aimed at letting the people know about the great policies of the party  ,

Governor Uzodimma said: “Reconcile all manner of people. reconcile members of our great party.  Convert new members into our great party, so that prosperity, which is the hallmark of our administration will impact on all of us.”

He commended  the party  members and delegates drawn from the 305 Wards in the 27 local government areas of the State  for a peaceful congress

Uzodimma  said“Today is a special day in the life of our great party, APC as it marks the conclusion and election of a brand new executive  of our party.”

“Today, all the delegates from various local governments in Imo State, both statutory and elected,  have once again demonstrated in a great manner, that democracy is working in Imo State. To God be the glory.

“I want to thank you for coming. I want to thank the organisers of this congress. I want to thank members of our great party. Above all, I want to thank the elected members. I want to give all the glory to Almighty God.

“I want to urge you not to betray the confidence reposed on you by the great people of Imo State.

“Go out there, carry out your political evangelism. Preach the good message. Tell the story the way it is and our party will grow from strength to strength.

“I will give you all the support you will require. APC is a national party. APC is a party to beat in Nigeria. APC is the party that produced me to be the Governor of Imo State.

“If you fail, it means that I have failed, but if APC succeeds, it means that I have succeeded. My success is our success and our success is my success.

“There is no winner and there is no vanquished. Reconcile all manner of people. Reconcile members of our great party. Convert new members into our great party so that our government of prosperity, which is the hallmark of our administration will impact on all of us.”

In his  speech, the immediate past Caretaker Committee Chairman of the party,  in  Prince Marcillenus Nlemigbo thanked everyone for supporting his administration in the State, especially during the Ward and Local Government Congresses that were devoid of crisis which he presided over.

He expressed his unreserved gratitude to the Governor for the confidence he reposed in him and faith in the collective capacity of his team to serve the Party at a very critical time in the history of the APC Imo State.

Nlemigbo  reminded the party delegates of the importance and seriousness attached to the State Congress, urging them to be mindful of the expectations of the teaming members and followers who are desirous of a harmonious and inclusive atmosphere that promotes a healthy political participation for all and sundry.

He emphasized that for their party to move forward it is expected that the delegates elect credible, tested, trusted and experienced administrators who would be statesmen and women, ready to promote the policies and programmes of the APC-led administration of the Governor anchored on the 3R mantra.

Through different motions and support to the motions, the Nlemigbo-led executive was dissolved and a new election called.

Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Paul Emeziem moved the motion for the dissolution of Nlemigbo’s cabinet and was supported by the Deputy Speaker, Imo State House of Assemble, Rt. Hon Amara Iwuanyanwu followed by a voice vote from all the delegates.

The motion for a fresh election to be held was moved by former House of Representatives member, Austin Nwachukwu and was supported by the Majority leader of the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Kanayo Onyemaechi.