| The candidate of Labour Party for the forthcoming November, 11 governorship election in Imo State, Senator Athan Achonu has taken a swipe at the State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, who he told to resign from his position, for his incompetence and inability to protect the lives and property of Imo people.Achonu expressed regret that rather than think outside the box on how to address the menace, the governor played to the gallery by ceeding his constitutional responsibility which he swore on oath to perform, to youths, community leaders and traditional rulers who lack the capacity and paraphernalia of office to accomplish the task.The governorship hopeful, stated this while x-raying the Governor’s leadership and administrative flaws, in a release issued by the Director General of his Campaign Organization, Engr Chine Nzeribe, as regards the meeting Governor Uzodinma held with traditional rulers, Presidents General and Youth Leaders of the 655 autonomous communities in the state.Achonu described the Governor’s decision to give out the sum of #1m to each of the traditional rulers for security as a subtle way of inducing, manipulating and buying over their conscience when a cardinal issue that affects the lives of the people is at stake.He wondered why the Governor suddenly woke up from slumber to realize the importance of funding security at the grassroots after almost three years of reckless killings, maiming, arson and wanton destruction of properties that has left many families in very hopeless and critical conditions.“The Governor’s action gives credence to speculations that he lacks the capacity to address the security challenges in the state because they have overwhelmed him and his administration. Hence, he keeps looking for scape goats to hang the blame on.The most honourable thing for him to do in the present circumstance, is to resign instead of wasting the scare resources of the state in the guise of addressing a challenge that he does not have any idea of how to tackle”“It is also obvious from the timing of the disbursement of the Greek gift, that it is aimed at compromising the traditional institution in the state into supporting and endorsing a failed, inept and purposeless administration that has left Imo State and her people worse than he met them”.“The first duty of any government is to protect lives and property of the citizenry. A governor, by the dictates of our Federal Constitution is the Chief Security Officer of the State. If Uzodimma is telling the citizens under his security care to protect themselves, that simply means that he lacks the capacity to remain as their Governor”.“Between October 19, 2021 and July 17, 2023, about five traditional rulers including uncountable Imo indigenes have been reportedly murdered in cold blood and the killings are still going on, “Sen Achonu stated.Achonu went further to explain that the Governor, having failed in his statutory rights to holistically address the security challenges in the State, should not present himself for re-election, adding that doling out money is not enough when there are no moral and sincere support including direct interface with the people as a Governor.“Uzodimma has demonstrated that he doesn’t have the ideas or capacity to protect Imolites, hence, his call for the people to resort to self-help speaks volume. He should vacate that seat and make way for people like me, with experience to come on board and practically salvage the situation. The security models are at my fingertip and embedded in my manifesto, “Sen Achonu added”. |
