A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Ugwumba Uche Nwosu has attributed Governor Hope Uzodinma’s victory to his developmental strides in the state and the robust electioneering campaigns.
Nwosu while speaking to newsmen in a telephone conversation on Sunday also called on members of the opposition to bury their hatchets and work for the socioeconomic development of the state, as he disagreed with those who blame Governor Uzodinma for the spate of insecurity in the state in recent times.
He said “Insecurity is not peculiar to Imo state. It is a nationwide issue. We have insecurity in Sokoto, Zamfara, Benue, Niger states and several parts of the country. Are you saying that the Governor of Sokoto State caused the problem?
“No governor would deliberately want problem in his state. All we want is peace and it is our responsibility to join hands with the governor to achieve the objective.”
Ruling out the possibility of taking up any appointive seat in the state, he called on Governor Uzodinma to sustain his developmental strides and the ongoing reconciliation effort with critical stakeholders of the state.
On voters’ apathy, Nwosu explained that a good number of Imo voters are actually not based in the state.
“You know what it means to fuel their cars to come down home to vote. Times are hard and I believe most of them felt it is not their priority for now. We have no fewer than 40 -50 per cent of our voters outside the state.”
He faulted the notions held in certain quarters that the low turnout of voters was a result of the intimidating activities of the Ebubeagu security outfits in the state adding that those behind such talks were being economical with the truth.
He, therefore, said more is still needed to be done on voters’ education and confidence building in the electoral system to address the problems associated with voters’ apathy in the polity.
On the Imo-NLC impasse, Nwosu expressed shock over the persistent action of the Nigeria Labour Congress to seize electricity in Imo State, saying that the Congress was punishing Imolites for a forgivable offence.
He disclosed that all efforts to appease the NLC President to reconsider his actions have proved futile, calling on him to restore light to Imo as the poor masses were suffering.
“I am shocked and in disbelief that with all the pleadings of leaders in the state and the masses to the NLC President to reconsider his action and give Imolites light, I’m surprised that up till now there’s no light in Imo State. This is not good, it is inhuman, it is punishing the people of Imo state and it is not acceptable by the entire Imolites.
“He should not because of one thing that happened and because of that punish the masses in Imo State. As the President of NLC he is supposed to bring joy to Imolites and not to bring hardship.
“This is not what we bargained for. This action is not justifiable, even God Almighty forgives, so why can’t he forgive and say because for the sake of immortality let there be light so that people can be happy. This is not good at all,” he lamented.
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