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There are feelers that, jolted by the outcome of the Anambra State governorship election where Civil Servants were the bedrock of the APGA candidate, Prof Charles Soludo’s victory, Imo State governor Hope Uzodinma is said to have started making frantic plans to pay Imo state civil servants local government employees and pensioners, some of who are owed for as much as 18 months arrears of their statutory entitlements.
Governor Uzodinma’s decision is said to be hinged on the realization that as the 2023 elections are fast approaching, coupled with the fact that Imo state governorship election may not be held at the same time with those of other states, there is the obvious tendency that most of the workers and pensioners the state government is owing, their relatives and dependants would vent their anger on him and the All Progressive Congress with their ballot papers.
A source who pleaded anonymity told this reporter that, “all the previous verification exercises conducted by the Hope Uzodinma administration were diversionary as they were used to hoodwink the people and buy time. It is now that government has decided to sit up and address the issue of nonpayment and underpayment of salaries and pensions because of the experience he had in Anambra state has taught him a lesson.”
An insider source who does not want his name in print revealed that since Governor Uzodinma’s assumption of office he has only released N40m to each of the twenty seven local government chairman. “The first one was two months after he assumed office while the second time was a months ago. He also said that the Governor solely manages the funds that accrue to the 27 local government councils in the state without recourse to anybody.
As evidenced in the recent actions of Imo politicians since after Anambra election, most of them are considering going home to identify with the electorate having realized that with the electronic transmission of votes, rigging may be difficult.It was said that the Anambra election is an eye-opener to politicians.
