Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo nominated Chinyere Ekomaru as her running mate for the state’s gubernatorial election on Nov. 11 on Saturday.
The Nigerian News Agency (NAN) reports that the inauguration took place at an APC stakeholder meeting in Owerri.
The Governor also presented his scorecard under his 3R Government of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Recovery from January 15, 2020 to date.
In a speech, he said that his administration had laid the foundations for growth in all sectors of the economy and would consolidate them to achieve a prosperous and secure industrial Imo in the coming years.
“We have a lot to campaign for. Our works speak for us.
“So today, we are here to bolster our genuine claim for re-election.
“I have chosen a candidate for lieutenant governor in the person of Chinyere Ihuoma Ekomaru.
“I think she will add value to this ticket.
“I hope that the women of Imo appreciate this gesture as my genuine recognition of their innate strength and ability to contribute to the growth of our state,” she said.
Mr Uzodimma said the election process for Ms Ekomaru was “all inclusive” and called on “everyone to accept and make peace with the decision”.
He praised his outgoing MP, Placid Njoku, saying: “I enjoyed a good working relationship with him.
“Let me take this opportunity to make it clear that I have no problem with my deputy.
“He is a very loyal and committed partner in progress.
“My confidence in him has not diminished in any way.
“I want to assure you that he remains very relevant in our political family and that his political career is by no means over.
“The truth is that, as representatives of the people, we must be sensitive to the ecumenical nature of the environment,” he said.
The governor said he could rightly and proudly say that he upheld the social contract he signed with the people of Imo when he took office in January 2020.
According to him, the security situation in the state has improved as wanton and motiveless killings of citizens by mercenary criminals decrease, while indiscriminate attacks against security agencies are controlled.
He further said that the state had regained its place of honor as the center of hospitality.
The governor cited the organization of high-profile events and conferences, including those of the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Publishers Guild in the state to support his point.
He also said that his administration had implemented a fully automated system in the civil service, eliminated corruption and abolished the threat of ghost workers.
Other achievements in the state civil service, he said, included the renovation of all the secretariat blocks, the provision of relevant equipment, the regular payment of salaries, the payment of the 13th month’s salary and other welfare packages.
“Our roads, which were mere death traps when I took office, are now passable.
“At last count, this administration has done over 100 good quality roads across the state.
“These include the dual carriageway of Owerri – Okigwe Road and Owerri – Orlu Road, while the construction of five kilometers of roads in the 27 LGAs is in various stages of completion.
“The reconstruction of Owerri -Mbaise – Obowo – Umuahia and Orlu – Mgbidi – Akokwa-Uga Road is also ongoing,” he further said.
“In education, we recovered KO Mbadiwe University.
“We also established Imo State University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences in Umuagwo to ensure our children get more admission slots while creating jobs and boosting the state’s economy.
“We are also effectively funding a polytechnic and a college of education and our primary and secondary schools enjoy the same attention,” he said.
Mr. Uzodimma also said similar efforts were being replicated in the health sector, where his administration brought back Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH), Orlu, from decline.
He said his government ensured that medical students graduate from the institution after eight years of stagnation.
“IMSUTH remains a true tertiary health institution with the necessary experts and consultants.
“Through our collaboration with the Federal Government, the Federal Medical Center, Owerri has become the Teaching Hospital of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri,” he said.
In addition, he revealed that three new well-equipped general hospitals will soon be commissioned.
The governor said he had secured the recovery of Adapalm Nigeria Limited and was in the process of doing the same for Imo Shoe Industry, Rubber Company, Avutu Poultry and Nsu Ceramic Industry, among others.
“Through a friendly tax regime and the creation of new business opportunities, we have also created the conducive environment for investors to establish industries and create employment opportunities in the state,” he said.
The governor also said that the ongoing dredging of the Oguta-Orashi-Degema river to the Atlantic Ocean project would help rejuvenate the state economy and that of the entire southeast, when completed.
Earlier, APC State Chairman Macdonald Ebere acknowledged the good work done by Mr Uzodimma’s administration and expressed the need for continuity.
Mr. Ebere said: “We are not unaware that the growing strength, popularity and visibility of our party in the state, as reflected in the recently concluded elections, the litany of defections from the main political parties are attributable to its development of infrastructure and economic recovery that set the pace. -engineering of our state.”
He said the party was firmly positioned to build on the achievements of the “shared prosperity administration” to once again secure the people’s mandate by November 11.
“We are very optimistic that our people will once again speak through their votes, to revalidate their implicit vote of confidence in our party and our governor’s shared prosperity stewardship,” he said.
In an acceptance speech, Mrs. Ekomaru, accompanied by her husband, thanked the governor for choosing her as his running mate and promised not to betray the trust he placed in her.
ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: Imo Gov, Hope Uzodinma emerges as chair of APC Governors Forum
He said that he has been in politics for more than 40 years and assured the governor that his election meant gaining supporters from the Anglican Communion, academia and social groups, to which he belongs.
She further expressed her confidence that the party would win more votes in the judiciary, where her husband belonged, the health sector, where her son belonged, and the numerous women’s social groups, where she also belonged.
(YAYA)
Read More Related News Here
Let hear it in the comment below if you do have an opinion on this; Uzodinma leaves deputy, chooses another running mate