– As Choice Of Dimkpasaa For Running Mate Excites Orlu Leaders
The candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance APGA for the November, 11, 2023 governorship election in Imo State, Tony Ejiogu, has unveiled his manifesto, which many political pundits described as a well articulated all-inclusive blue print of action that tends to address all aspects of the socio-political and economic aspects of the state and her people.
The manifesto, as packaged in a release made available to Nigeria Watchdog Newspaper, priotised security, education, agriculture, health, infrastructural development, social justice, youth empowerment, institutional reforms, among others.
The APGA governorship candidate who is said to be a well educated and widely travelled, investment and wealth creation expert also promised to boost agro revolution, establish ICT Colleges in the three senatorial zones of the state with a view to creating employment for the youths.
On security, he said, “no economy thrives in an unsafe environment. We will therefore curb security challenges by strengthening law enforcement. We would priotize enhancing the capacity and effectiveness of law enforcement agencies in Imo State. This, will involve providing them with adequate resources, training and modern equipment to combat insecurity more efficiently”.
He assured that his administration will be a strong advocate for a robust and efficient judicial system that ensures swift and fair dispensation of justice. This, according to him, involves supporting judicial reforms through the relevant groups, enhance the capacity of the judiciary and promote accountability for crimes and criminality.
On youth empowerment and education, the governorship hopeful said, “our progressive leadership would prioritize youth empowerment initiatives, skill development programs and educational opportunities. By providing these alternatives and pathways for young people, the aim is to reduce their vulnerability to criminal influences and offer avenues for positive engagement”.
Continuing, he said,accidents claim enough lives. Under my leadership, we will create several Vehicle Inspection Centers where all vehicles must pass certain tests to be roadworthy. Our investment in infrastructure and various technologies, and the implementation of policies will work jointly to curb accidents.
The current insecurity in our land is a hydra-headed issue, but our administration would approach the monster with a multifaceted and proactive strategy that combines law enforcement efforts, community engagement, and technology. When insecurity is dealt with, Imo will once again become a safe and peaceful state where residents and visitors will feel safe and the economy will thrive”.
Ejiogu further said, “our progressive government recognizes the importance of driving positive changes and addressing societal challenges. We aim to build a more inclusive, equitable and just society. First, we must restore democratic accountability at all levels by ensuring that the third-tier level of government is truly functional. This will institutionalize and promote economic growth and sustainable development at the grassroots.
To this end, “we would ensure independent and democratically elected leaderships are constituted from the ward levels to local government council levels in the state, with full financial and operational. There shall be no more Community Development Centers or Sole Administrators”.
“We would lend our voice and support to other advocates in strengthening the rule of law, enhancing judicial independence, and improving the effectiveness of regulatory bodies. All our actions will be geared toward creating a fair and just judicial system that protects citizens’ rights and promotes equal justice for all.
“APGA administration in the state, will modify our school curriculum to prioritize STEM subjects, while focusing also on talent and skill development for self- sustainability via vocational and technical education. We shall introduce and implement artificial intelligence software technology to guide senior secondary students on right career path to avert skill mismatch and promote easier school to work transitioning for increased economic productivity and a creative innovation economy. Our progressive leadership shall ensure teachers are provided with opportunities for continuing education and recertification courses to bring them up to contemporary teaching methodology.
“Solving the issue of power will be the building block of my administration’s goal to help Imo State escape poverty and create better lives for our citizens. We will do this by:
“On rural electrification, our administration would collaborate with relevant stakeholders to extend electricity access to rural and undeserved areas. This involves the building of mini captive green energy production plants utilizing biogas, hydrogen, waste to energy or natural gas, and the deployment of decentralized renewable energy systems, across the state’s residential and industrial cluster areas.
“Some of those who commented on the APGA candidate’s manifesto, including some top politicians from Orlu zone described it “as a well articulated document that will, if implemented turn around the fortunes of our dear state”.
They said, “though, we don’t know much about him his background and antecedents, but the choice of Chief Ejike Uche (Dimkpasaa) as his running mate has made most of us to throw our weight behind him”.
“Dimkpasaa, as far as we in Orlu zone are concerned, is aside his wealth of experience, a man of impeccable character and unblemished track record. He rose to the peak of the federal civil service and retired meritonously without dent. With him as Tony Ejiogu’s running mate, the latter is assured of the support, encouragement and the block votes of Orlu people”.
Others who spoke in the same vein said, “Dimkpasaa, as a founding member of Orlu Elder’s Council, a former Deputy National Chairman of APGA, former Deputy National Chairman of the United Progressive Party UPP, a two time Commissioner in the state, first for Housing and Urban Planning and later for Public Utilities, is in deed a political heavy weight whose electoral value is unquantifiable. With him as the running mate of the APGA governorship candidate, the people of Orlu zone will definitely que behind them, despite the fact that we don’t much about his principal, Tony Ejiogu”.
“A cross section of leaders and stakeholders in Orlu zone who expressed delight at the emergence of Dimkpasaa as the deputy governorship candidate of APGA promised to throw their weight behind the party because “Dimkpasaa, is a man we know very well and can also trust because of his antecedents and zero tolerance for corruption”.
“It is on record that he retired voluntarily as a Commissioner in former Governor Rochas Okorocha’s cabinet, to avoid denting his record. That is the stuff he is made of”.
