Amid the challenges posed by insecurity in Imo State for years now, Governor Hope Uzodimma has challenged the leaders to join hands with him to ensure the restoration of government at the grassroots.
The Governor who made the call on Sunday at the Government House Chapel, Owerri at the end of the day’s Church service, noted that it should be a source of concern to the Imo leaders that they have abandoned their communities to stay in the cities as a result of insecurity.
Governor Uzodimma said that the Imo State local government election scheduled for September 21, is critical to the extent that it will be an opportunity to “push back government to the grassroots.”
He therefore admonished the leaders, particularly those of the All Progressives Congress extraction, to deemphasize excessive complaints about the chairmanship and councillorship candidates that have emerged from the Party Primaries for the coming election, but focus more on how to join hands with government to deal with the festering insecurity that has caused loss of lives, property and assets in Imo State.
The Governor also advised APC leaders who have been going about mouthing the issue of “turn” in the manner the chairmanship and councillorship candidates were elected, to bear in mind that their turn will still come.
His words: “Those who think it is their turn and have not got it now, we are holding it on trust; you will soon get it; it will get to you.”
Governor Uzodimma who reiterated his earlier promise that the chairmanship and councillorship aspirants who could not make it at the Party Primaries would be paid the amount they spent to buy forms, however called on political appointees at all levels to be ambassadors of government, willing to add value to the system.
He bemoaned what he described as the attitude of some appointees entrusted with public assets, and urged them to “search their consciences” as regards their acts in the offices they occupy.
Governor Uzodimma said that as a person he was not in a hurry to do anything that he will regret after leaving office and cautioned those who think their relationship with him could thrive when he resorts to doing the wrong things.
“I am not confused about this government. I want to finish from here and go home. Prevention is better than cure. We have come to serve Imo State. I am not in a hurry to do anything that I will not be able to interrogate my conscience. Allow me to carry my cross. When we finish we will be remembered for the things we did. I am open to investigation,” the Governor said.
He used the opportunity to thank the leaders and dignitaries who worshipped with him at the Chapel, including the new Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri, and sought for stronger collaboration of the federal institutions in Imo State with his government.
