President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday met behind closed door with Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Speaking to State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, the governor said he updated the president on security and socio-economic developments in his state.
He said, in response to his presentations, President Buhari pledged to do more to ensure adequate security of life and property of all citizens in the state and across the country, ahead of the yuletide season.
According to him, steps are being taken to address security challenges in the South-East region of the country.
He said: “Prominent among the issues we discussed is the increasing insecurity in the South-East.
“Despite the activities of bandits and unknown gunmen in the area, you recall that the correctional facility in Owerri, Imo State capital was broken and over 1800 inmates were released.
“Since that time they have been on rampage committing all sorts of crime like kidnapping and armed robbery among others.
“There is need for us to really clean up the state because this period of Christmas is so important to our people and we want to ensure that those coming home for Christmas will have a conducive atmosphere to enjoy and celebrate the season.”
Uzodinma also revealed that he sought for presidential intervention for more funding and personnel, to help the state government address the prevailing security challenges.
“I asked for support with additional manpower and also some kind of funding to support the security situation in Imo State and the President graciously approved,” he said.
On the recently concluded gubernatorial election in Anambra, where he served as the Chairman of the campaign council of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the governor said he explained to the President how they tried their best to win but did not get the desired result.
“On Anambra election, it has come and gone and other things may be post-election activities.
“I was able to explain to the President how we tried to win the election; we campaigned vigorously and we also converted a lot of people to APC but the election was greeted by voter apathy because of the high level of insecurity in Anambra.
“Other decisions and positions would be taken by the leadership of the party. I have done my part as the Chairman of the campaign council,” he added.
According to him, the national leadership of the party and its candidate, Andy Ubah, are to decide whether or not the declaration of Prof. Charles Soludo as the winner of the election will be challenged in court.
He also dismissed the assertion that the governing APC may not be voted back to power in 2023 due to the prevailing economic and security situations in the country.
According to him, many people are joining the party as Nigerians are happy that President Buhari is performing well.
“The mood of the country is that the president is doing very well.
“The mood of the country is that APC given the peculiarly of the times when insecurity has taken over the globe, where Covid-19 has ravaged every place in the world from one variant to another variant, yet we are able to come out from recession. – NAN.
