From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
The second term bid of Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State to retain his seat after the November 11 governorship election in the state received a boost on Monday when stakeholders from Orlu zone who met after a joint meeting at Nkwere resolved that the incumbent be allowed as a sole candidate for the governorship election.
Addressing a press conference shortly after their meeting on Monday, Chief Rex Anunobi, National President of the Orlu Political Consultative Assembly (OPOCA) on behalf of the other stakeholders urged candidates from Owerri and Okigwe zone contesting in the November, 11 governorship election in the state to withdraw in respect of the recently adopted charter of equity.
He also added: “By so doing position themselves for 2027 when power shall rotate to either Owerri zone or Okigwe zone as stipulated in the Imo charter of equity.
“That the much expected but deserving support from Owerri and Okigwe zone shall strengthen the Imo charter of equity and further promote equity and fairness in the rotation of the governorship seat of Imo State.”
“That the enhanced Imo charter of equity recently signed by the Imo elders council and subsequently adopted by the generality of Imo people across the 3 senatorial zones which has resolved for Orlu zone governorship of Imo for the next 4 years guarantees His Excellency’s second term in office same as his superlative performance and therefore deserved total support from our brothers and sisters from Owerri and Okigwe zone.”
The group which also passed an implicit vote of confidence on Governor Uzodinma because of his outstanding qualities since he assumed office also noted that he has “sufficiently justified the mandate freely given to him by Ndi Imo given his infrastructural revolution, human capital and socio-economic development programmes.”
Highlighting some of his numerous achievements, Anunobi said: The Owerri-Orlu duall expressway, he Owerri-Okigwe expressway, the ongoing Owerri-Mbaise/Umuahia dual expressway, the life saving health insurance scheme, and series of youth and women empowerment programs.
Other stakeholders who attended the meeting were the Assassination of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) led by its state chairman, Willie Okolieogwo, HRM, Eze Emmanuel Okeke,the state chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council, among others.