Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and a front runner in the race, Chief Emeka Ihedioha has vowed to dislodge Governor Rochas Okorocha from the Douglas Road House.
The Deputy Speaker stated this during his state-wide consultation visit of Peoples Democratic Party faithful in Okwelle, Onuimo Local Government Area of the state at the weekend.
Addressing the leaders, officers and stakeholders of the party, he said, “I have come to meet face to face with you and interact on the way forward for our party and our dear state in general. I am motivated to seek the support of our great party for the nomination because I have track record of service delivery including empowerment programmes, infrastructural development, years of experience and indeed the capacity to give Governor Okorocha a technical knockout.”
While lamenting the level of decay in the state, he averred that, “Rochas has sold everything including the Imo Transport Company (ITC), the money spinning Ada Palm, hospitals, including mortuaries, noting that, “the primary purpose of governance is to improve the lives of the people and ensure the security of lives and property.” He regretted that the APC led administration had rather impoverished the state.
Assuring that the state will rise again, Hon. Ihedioha said, “I will fix Imo State and restore the pride of our land. I have a sense of decency and coming with sincerity of purpose, honesty and a well articulated work plan which, by the grace of God, if I am elected, will start impacting the state positively within the first three months of our administration.” He added: “having used my position to attract substantial federal government presence for the benefit of our people, I will also continue to use my position, network of friends and the goodwill I have built over the years to continue to attract amenities to our dear state.”
Ihedioha assured that the ongoing rehabilitation of Owerri-Okigwe Road which he solely facilitated at the cost of N300 million and implemented by FERMA will impact the area positively. He also announced that contract for the construction of the Second Phase of Isi Nweke-Onicha Uboma-Imo River Road in Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area was being awarded in an effort to encourage rice farmers and boost the economy of the state. He enjoined his supporter to continue to keep faith with the party as the only vehicle for good governance and provision of dividends of democracy.
Earlier in his speech, the host and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party in the local government, Right Honourable Maxwell Duru, former Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, while welcoming the Deputy Speaker, described him as an honest and humble politician whose interest is service to the people. He urged him to continue to be a good ambassador, assuring him of their prayers and unalloyed support for the party.
