Gentlemen of the Press,
'ENOUGH IS ENOUGH'
We gladly welcome all of you to this joint press conference of the apex political groups, namely the Orlu Political Consultative Assembly (OPOCA) the political leaders and stakeholders of Orlu Senatorial zone, the Owerri Zone Political Leaders Forum (OZOPOLF), the Okigwe Political Assembly (OPA) who represent and speak for the political leaders and stakeholders of Orlu, Owerri and Okigwe zones respectively and the leadership of Imo Traditional Institution and Town Unions also in the three senatorial zones.
Gentlemen of the press, you will recall that Chief Emeka Ihedioha and his campaign organisation masquerading as Owerri zone had last weekend attempted to overheat the polity and possibly instigate a political tension capable of causing a security breach in the State hiding under what they called "Egbu Declaration".
The gathering to the chargrin of Imolites, distastefully turned to an event upon which Chief Emeka Ihedioha campaigned and declared to run for the 2023/24 governorship of Imo State. Ihedioha during the said event, ridiculously boasted that he will become governor because "the present administration has already done the campaigns for him".
Shortly after the so-called "Egbu Declaration", Ihedioha through his Party apparently declaring war against the State, her peace-loving people and the Governor of Imo State issued a counter-warning to Imolites and Nigerians who intend to return home or visit the State during the Yuletide to drop such idea to avoid being "slaughtered like chicken". This unfortunate statement is undisputedly a counter directive on Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma assured and guaranteed safety he made earlier to Imolites returning home during the Yuletide.
Though our Governor as usual is not moved nor loosing sleep over these calculated but rebellious moves by Ihedioha to instigate political tension and possibly security breaches during this Yuletide, we as stakeholders have deemed it expedient to caution Ihedioha at this point in time as neither the State belongs to him nor the governorship position his birthright. We have resolved not to watch idly and allow Ihedioha's to throw our State into another round of political turmoil which is capable of escalating insecurity in our dear State.
It is incontrovertible and evident that Ihedioha has never for once condemned the recent upsurge in insecurity thay ravaged our State recently which our Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma in conjuction with other well-meaning stakeholders have fought valiantly to bring to a control.
It is also on record that when our Governor and other stakeholders rallied to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, Ihedioha was nowhere to be found. While other stakeholders rallied behind Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma in the fight towards protecting the lives of Ndi Imo, Ihedioha vanished into thin air and nowhere near Imo State. He never showed solidarity of any form.
It is equally laughable and ironical too that Ihedioha who has recently hinged his desperation and 'it must be me attitude' on "Equity" is the same person that seized power at the detriment of the people of Ngor-Okpala. Where was "Equity" when he seized power and sat tight for 12 years thus denying the people of Ngor-Okpala opportunities of representation in the Federal Constituency? Is 'Equity' a commodity for just one man? Is "Equity only meant for Ihedioha? Is Ihedioha the only man qualified to become a governor in Owerri zone?
Gentlemen of the Press, it is in the light of the above scenario vis-a-vis the neccessity of guaranteeing absolute peace in our dear State which our governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma has tirelessly fought to restore that we declare strongly and unequivocally the followings;
1. That Emeka Ihedioha should be held responsible for any or further breach of security in Imo as our people cannot condone any form of insecurity and bloodletting going forward.
2. That relevant institutions including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should urgently invite Ihedioha for interrogation and subject him to face the law for staging a political and governorship campaign/declaration rally in total violation of the Electoral Act.
3. That we commend highly our political leaders and stakeholders from Owerri Zone who intelligently and politically decoded on time Ihedioha's political intrigues and gimmicks to hide under the canopy of 4th Egbu Declaration, a supposedly Owerri zone affair, to campaign/declare for 2023/24 governorship.
4. That we condemn the ill-timed governorship campaign/declaration of Ihedioha which is evidential of the calculated but failed strategy to distract the Governor who is constitutionally entitled to a second term in office if he decides to contest in 2023/24.
5. That the issue of 'Equity' which has selfishly become Ihedioha's campaign tool for 2023/24 governorship is neither centred on individual nor Ihedioha as a person but on the people. In view of the above and considering that the incumbent Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma is constitutionally entitled to a second term in office vis-a-vis his monumental achievements, it is hereby resolved that Equity and Zoning of the Governorship of Imo State shall going forward begin with the incumbent and Orlu zone. The implication is that the Governorship position shall rotate to Owerri and Okigwe zones in 2028 when the incumbent must have exhausted his constitutional second tenure. To guarantee the effectiveness and practicality of this political arrangement and understanding, the other two zones are advised not to field candidate(s) or contest against the zone upon which the Governorship is domiciled. The bottomline of this resolution is that Owerri and Okigwe zones will not field a Governorship candidate in any of the competing political parties until 2028.
6. That we commend our dear Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma for defeating the known and unknown enemies of the State who orchestrated the recent unrest in Imo by adequately restoring peace and orderliness in the State. It is based on this very particular reason that we warn Ihedioha and any other person trying to instigate any form of crisis or unnecessarily heat-up of the polity to desist forthwith or be ready to face the full wrath of the law.
7. That we are collectively lending our voice to that of our Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma by urging Imolites and Nigerians who wish to return home or visit the State during the Yuletide to freely do so without fear as peace and normal life have been restored courtesy of the joint and unrelented efforts of the Shared Prosperity Governor, our Community Vigilantes and Security Agencies.
8. That we commend our Shared Prosperity Governor on his well-thought-out developmental initiatives and people-oriented programmes and policies as encapsulated in his 3R Agenda. We make bold to say that this present government has sufficiently and in different forms impacted positively on the lives of many Imo youths and women. While also appreciating the ongoing infrastructural revolution especially in the areas of road construction and modernization of Owerri Capital City, we on the other hand, appeal to the good people of Imo State to be patient as government mobilizes contractors back to sites on those critical but strategic roads in Owerri capital city and other areas in the State now the rains have abated.
We also in the same vein applaud government audacious programme to renovate and equip all the Primary Health Centres in the 305 Wards in the State between now and the Yuletide season.
9. That we commend the political and traditional leaders including our revered Traditional Rulers, President Generals of Town Unions across the three (3) senatorial zones of the State for their unwavering but unalloyed support to our Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma and his Shared Prosperity Government which no doubt energises the Governor to do more for our people.
10. We are also not unmindful of the support of Imo Religious leaders and well-meaning Imolites and Nigerans whom through their fervent prayers have spiritually fortified our Shared Prosperity Governor in moving the State forward.
Thank you.
SIGNED:
Prince Charles Amadi (Charlvon)
National President,
Owerri Zone Political Leaders Forum (OZOPOLF)
Chief Barr. Rex C. Anunobi (Sokom).
National President,
Orlu Political Consultative Assembly (OPOCA).
Rt. Hon. Matthew Omegara
National President,
Okigwe Political Assembly (OPA).
Hon. Barr. Kingsley Ononuju (Ekwedashike)
National Secretary,
Owerri Zone Political Leaders Forum (OZOPOLF).
Chief Kingsley Ufere
(Ikenga Izuogu)
National Secretary,
Orlu Political Consultative Assembly (OPOCA).
High Chief Sam Osuji
National Secretary,
Okigwe Political Assembly (OPA)
Publisher: Don Martyn L.O
Ikeduru APC Media Hub
08032950897
Ikeduruapcmediahub@gmail.com
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