BY GOC NWADIKE
The grand finale of Gov. Hope Uzodinma’s Campaigns and tours to the 27 Imo LGAs ended yesterday, Wednesday 8th of November, 2023 with Uzodinma’s tours to Nwangele, Njaba, Nkwerre, Isu Federal Constituency and Orlu, Orsu, Oru-East Federal Constituency.
Gov. Hope Uzodinma’s train landed at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church Field, Amaifeke in Orlu LGA at exactly 6.10pm after leaving Nkwerre at about 5.30pm.
Governor Hope Uzodinma, accompanied by his beautiful wife, Barr. Mrs. Chioma Uzodinma, went straight to the podium, and patiently listened to the Apex Leader, Chief Barr. COC Akaolisa, and the Federal Constituency Campaign Council Chairman, Hon. Canice-Moore Nwachukwu as they extolled his leadership ingenuities which had attracted him the loyal followship he has been enjoying from Imolites.
The leaders also informed him of the decision of their people to vote massively for his second term, while reminding him of his assurances of directing massive infrastructural developments to the area in his second term, and ensure that Orlu bounces back to what it used to be in terms of peace and home for rest.
A motion for endorsement of the Governor for a second term was sponsored, and the question put, with a thunderous shouts of the “Eays” permeating the environment.
And so, was the endorsement of Governor Hope Uzodinma by his own people in the heart of town of his own people, Orlu; a town hitherto said was a “no-go” area. Uzodinma and his people trooped, intermingled and danced freely at night in Orlu without fear of danger.
Speaking during his response, Gov. Uzodinma thanked the people of Orlu Federal Constituency for their trust, belief and confidence in him. He urged them to come out enmass on Saturday, 11/11 to vote for his return to Government House.
He regretted the effect of insecurity on his people in his first term in office, which he said was sponsored by political enemies who were angry at his courage in reclaiming his stolen mandate through the Supreme Court in 2020, and assured his Orlu people that no such criminality would be allowed to take place again in the coming election of Saturday.
Gov. Uzodinma re-assured his people that his second term in office would be used to develop their area better than it was, while encouraging them to disregard anyone giving them fake hope where he is the real Hope of the people.
Similarly, he appealed once again to youths whom he said were still in the “bushes” to come out and embrace peace.
What is significant about Gov. Hope Uzodinma’s visit to Orlu, the area known in the last three years with its volatility and insecurity, is the way and manner he was received by his own people, Orlu.
On Tuesday, Gov. Uzodinma was in Ideato nation around the same time he came to Orlu town (evening).
Gov. Uzodinma’s boldness and courage, even against beliefs that “Orlu is not save”, had given true situation’s reports about the area.
It is also remarkable how youths and parents from the areas trooped out in their thousands, waited even into the nights, to receive the Governor in the entire Orlu territories he visited.
It is an evidence that the people desire peace, have embraced peace and have chosen to leave the past behind, and forge forward.
It is also an indication of their general love for their own (Gov. Uzodinma), while clearly making statements that their hope is only in Governor Hope Uzodinma, their kinsman.
Foolishly, and as expected, while Gov. Hope Uzodinma has busied himself with campaigns and tours to strategic voting areas begging for votes without fear, opposition candidates such as the PDP’s Samdaddy and the LP’s Athan Achonu have been busy raising fake alerms and news.
They had sponsored the fake news that the the Governor’s adminstration brutalized the NLC’ Chairman, COMRD. JOE AJAERO. They had said Government had booked all hotel rooms in Imo state. They had said it was Uzodinma blocking the release of MNK. They had said it was the Police, INEC, aiding Uzodinma, etc.
But Gov. Uzodinma had said he is focused and his eyes firmly on the ball. He had also promised to reply after he is done with hie assured victory at the polls come November 11th. He said he is not distracted.
*_GOC NWADIKE writes from the Imo State Media Engagements Office, Owerri_*