Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo has unveiled Lady Chinyere Ihuoma Ekomaru as his running mate for the November 11, 2023 governorship election in the State.
The unveiling came following the Governor’s resolve to dump his Deputy Governor Prof. Placide Njoku whom he has been steering the affairs of the state in the past 4 years.
Speaking at special Stakeholders gathering held on Saturday at the Landmark Event Centre New Owerri, the governor used the opportunity to refresh the minds of Imo citizens on what his 3-R government, anchored on reconstruction, rehabilitation and recovery has been able to achieve from January 15, 2020 till date.
He enumerates that his government has been able to showcase and walked their talks.
He said: “We have kept faith with Imo people on our promises. We have laid the solid foundation for growth in all sectors of the economy and we shall consolidate on them to deliver an industrial, prosperous and safe Imo state in the coming years.”
Welcoming the stakeholders, Uzodinma commended them for joining him to unveil his running mate and be part of another four years of history in their consolidation march to build a safer, more functional and more prosperous Imo.
He reminded his audience which included party members that his numerous achievements are there to speak for him and his government as another election beckons.
He said: “We have so much to campaign with. Our works speak for us. So today, we are here to reinforce our genuine claim to re-election. I have picked a female deputy governorship candidate in the person of Lady Chinyere Ihuoma Ekomaru. I believe she will add value to this ticket”.
While he enjoined Imo women to appreciate the gesture as his genuine appreciation of their innate strength and capacity to make contribution to the growth of our state.
He acknowledged the fact that the stakeholders are aware of why this particular decision was taken adding that the process of choosing her was all-inclusive while he pleaded with everyone to accept and make peace with it.
To his outgoing Deputy Governor Prof Placid Njoku, Governor Uzodimma informed the people that he enjoys a good working relationship with him.
He said: “Let me use this opportunity to make it clear that I don’t have any problem with my deputy Governor, Prof Placid Njoku. If anything he is a very loyal and committed partner in progress. My confidence in him has not waned in any way. I want to assure you that he is still very relevant in our political family. His political career is not by any means over. The truth is that as representative of the people, we need to be sensitive to the ecumenical nature of the environment.”
In her acceptance speech after her resume was read out by the Chief Political Adviser/ Head of Political Bureau, Barr. Enyinnaya Onuegbu, Lady Ekomaru, accompanied by the husband, thanked the Governor for choosing her as his running mate and promised not to disappoint his expectations of her.
She recalled that she has been in politics for more than 40 years and assured the Governor that her choice meant winning supporters from the Anglican Communion, academia and social groups where she belongs, from the Judiciary where the husband belongs, from the health sector where her child belongs, and more importantly, from the numerous women, social groups where she also belongs.
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