The Imo State Governor-Elect, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha, on Wednesday March 27, 2019, received his Certificate of Return at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office, along Port Harcourt Road, Owerri, amidst jubilation.
After receiving the Certificate at the INEC headquarters, alongside his Deputy, Engr. Gerald Irona, duo and supporters drove in a long motorcade waving to hundreds of Imolites, who joyously lined both sides of the route from Port Harcourt road via Assumpta Avenue to People’s Democratic Party (PDP) state secretariat, along Okigwe road, Owerri, where the Governor-Elect addressed a mammoth crowd of PDP supporters and Imolites.
Addressing the people at the Okigwe road secretariat, Owerri, Chief (Sir) Emeka Ihedioha (Omenkeahuruanya), observed that Imo state has been in bondage.He thanked the Imo electorate for choosing him and his deputy with a promise to release the state from the bondage and rebuild it.
He observed that one of our major problem is “talk here and do another thing”, assuring the people that he does not practice, indulge in double-dealing. He stated categorically that, sycophancy is not going to be tolerated, and that his supporters should not worry about sycophancy, as “sycophants have no place in my administration”.
He thanked God for giving him an eagle eye to know when there is danger and the capacity to do what is right and know what is wrong, as well as to deal with individuals, no matter their status, stressing also, “this is the beginning of the journey to rebuild the state” and enjoined all to join hands, as there is no loser in the state, saying “everybody is a winner”.
Earlier, while receiving the Certificate of Return from the INEC Commissioner of supervising Imo, Abia and Ebonyi, Mr Okey Ibeanu, Chief Ihedioha stated as part of his plan to govern the state, “the local government would be given maximum attention to allow rural dwellers participate in governance. He went on to state that, in the discharge of his policies and programmes, he would ensure that peace is maintained.
“We promised to work with the judiciary system, to achieve justice for the oppressed in the state, adding that, I want to put on record that we had a good election in our state. I salute INEC officials and the security agencies, because, you acted with the sense of courage and sense of discipline”.
He promised to work along with elected members of the legislators to run a responsible government, also assured that under his watch “democracy shall be practiced as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with autonomy to both the legislature and the judiciary”, so as to ensure that justice is practiced in Imo state.
He emphasized that, the local government administration shall be appreciated and seen as an arm of government that is respected, because, “that is where the grassroot people participate”.
Chief Ihedioha pledged to enhance the revenue base of the state, and urged everyone to continue to maintain peace and order devoid of religious, clannish or political sentiments, as there is only one Imo for us.
