-Hon. Sam Osuji (KSM)
By all streaks and strokes, Gov Hope Uzodinma’s interface with LGA stakeholders in Imo is timely.
The governor has shown rare political sagacity befitting of leaders in his mould. He has thus shown that gone are the days of yore when Douglas House acted the script of totalitarianism in a democratic set-up.
The stakeholders’ meeting may have taken the Imo opposition by surprise, pulling a string of crude envy especially with the resounding success that has defined the meeting.
Make no mistake about it; the parley with LG stakeholders is a noble idea of Dist. Sen Hope Uzodinma to further feel the pulse of the people.
This comes at a time when most governors have already been given the tag of despots because their actions are in complete variance with the aspirations of their people. But here we have a governor in Imo who patiently listens to the people and desires so as to give them a land of their dream.
The turnout of the stakeholders’ meeting which one can safely term a town-hall meeting with the governor was a fruitful outing on all fronts.
First, it was well attended by the leaders of thought in the respective LGAs alongside the rank and file of the people. Second, it was a summit that had citizens across political divides.
At first, ignorant opposition buccaneers had termed it an APC affair when they know full well that the development of the state is for the good of everyone irrespective of party affiliation.
And Gov Uzodinma, being the People’s leader will never go the primordial way of denying an area of infrastructural endowments simply because it is not a stronghold of the APC.
It was therefore heart-warming to see persons of great influence in the state lead their various local governments to see the leader of the state.
There was Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the inimitable and illustrious son of Imo State, who was at the forefront of the Ikeduru LGA delegation. Chief Iwuanyanwu, an elder statesman has unfortunately been at the receiving end of a vicious attack by some uninformed party men who do not understand the dynamics of politics.
There were a former governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, a former deputy governor, Engr Ebere Udeagu, a former two Senator, Chief (Mrs) Chris Anyanwu, Chief Ozichukwu Chukwu, Barr Eze Duruiheoma and Chief Chibuike Achigbu, to mention a few.
Development is at the epicentre of politics. This is one fact that any frail-hearted opposition may never realize. So when people across party lines embrace the political leader of the state and his noble policies, they do so because it is the right thing to do. And by getting integrated they will be able to voice out measured reservations to the chief executive where necessary. But when politics turns dirty and bitter, the imperatives of development are undermined and/or underplayed.
Essentially, the governor should also be profoundly commended for providing a good playing ground for all interests to be factored in the stakeholders meeting. In the past, such an act of magnanimity would have rarely been the case. To be sure, Dist. Sen Hope Uzodinma is steadily redefining politics in Imo.
For goodness sake, there can never be, say, an APC road used only by APC members in Imo or an APC water project utilized by only its men. Whatever infrastructural legacies Dist. Sen Hope Uzodima is establishing serves all Imolites.
For once, Imo has got it right in the choice of Dist. Sen Hope Uzodinma. Here is a governor that has no interest in the real estate. Remarkably, he has severally declared publicly that he has not come to loot the patrimony of the state.
This is indeed a governor who has come to enlarge the coasts of his business investments. He is contented and believes in the act and art of Providence to bless his path. After all, only God can show mercy to whomever He wants. With Gov Uzodinma, therefore, everyone should be rest assured that the story of Imo can only get better.
The Imo LGA town-hall meetings have come and gone. But its echoes of reason persist. A lot requests were made. A lot of paths were found and founded. Indeed a lot of ideas were presented and perfected.
Characteristically, the governor being himself a very knowledgeable man-made vital inputs, analysis and of course promissory interventions.
Now, it behoves us all to have confidence that this governor, this leader will meticulously implement to the letter the vital and most timely issues raised. All in all, we should expect a 2022 budget that is driven by an aggressive rural infrastructural transformation.
Dist. Sen Hope Uzodinma indeed means business. Of course, he has said now and again that governance is a serious business. It is not a tea party where some people think they will come to enjoy and thereafter loot the state dry to establish and perpetuate a filthy dynasty.
May God bless our governor; may God bless our State. And may the Shared Prosperity policy prevail!
9News Nigeria (Owerri)
For inquiries on this news contact 9News Nigeria Imo State @08036856526
