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Escalating security challenges in the South East, particularly within Imo State, are causing significant worry in the lead-up to the November 11 gubernatorial election, which will decide who will hold the reins of Government House Owerri, also referred to as Douglas House.
Various regions in the Heartland region have been plagued by a string of attacks in recent memory. The most recent of these tragic incidents was the assault on security officers in Umualumaku, a part of the Ehime Mbano Local Government Area.
It’s no surprise that this has taken centre stage as the primary theme of the campaign leading up to the upcoming 11/11 governorship election.
The prominent opposition parties in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP), have placed the blame for the state’s security issues on the incumbent governor, Hope Uzodinma from the All Progressives Congress (APC), vowing to bring security back to the state.
Conversely, the governor and the APC have asserted that the opposition is behind many of the violent incidents, intending to discredit the government’s accomplishments.
Read also: Peace In South East Hinges On Kanu’s Release Only – IPOB
Sen. Athan Achonu, the Labour Party (LP) candidate, joined in condemning the recent assault on security officers in the state. While expressing his dissatisfaction with the performance of the state governor, he revealed that he had personally allocated millions of his own funds to the restoration of nine non-functioning armoured personnel carriers in the state.
He urged the state government to act without delay and deploy armoured personnel carriers in all locations to guarantee the safety of security personnel.
‘It is inexplicable that Imo has become a war theatre and the epicentre of violence and bloodbath in the entire South East,’ he noted.
During the launch of his campaign at the Chioma Ajunwa Sports Complex Nguru in Mbaise Local Government Area, Achonu had said that he would pay priority attention to insecurity, if elected.
He said that ‘insecurity has turned Imo into a river of blood and arson’, adding that ‘ending the daily massacre of defenceless Imo people and restoring peace, security and tranquillity in the state will be my priority agenda upon my inauguration in January 2024.’
Additionally, he committed to the state’s industrialization by initiating the creation of two industrial parks in each zone of the state, with a specific focus on establishing a pharmaceutical park in the Orlu zone.
Senator Samuel Anyanwu, representing the PDP, shared his distress, asserting that Imo State is gradually resembling a region affected by Boko Haram due to the mounting insecurity. He argued that this insecurity has deterred potential investors and led to higher unemployment rates among young individuals.
While on his ‘Thank you’ tour in Oguta and Oru West local government areas, Anyanwu made a commitment to bring an end to the ongoing insecurity, suffering, and lack of transparency in Imo State if he secures victory in the forthcoming gubernatorial election.
His words: ‘I did not come out to be your governor to destroy you, steal our taxpayers’ money, or enrich myself or few persons, but I have offered myself as a sacrificial lamb to restore peace, sanity, improve the economy, guarantee freedom of speech and movement of the less privileged and the downtrodden.’
Governor Uzodinma, who insisted on his achievements in realizing the 3R Government of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Recovery, has made a significant decision by selecting a female running mate, Chinyere Ekomaru, as part of his strategy to attract the female electorate in the state.
Furthermore, the governor claimed that the security situation in the state has shown signs of improvement, with a decrease in the wanton and unprovoked killings carried out by mercenary criminals, and effective measures in place to curtail indiscriminate assaults on security agencies.
‘Our roads, which were mere death traps when I assumed office, are now motorable. At the last count, this administration has done more than 100 good quality roads across the entire state.’
‘These include the dual carriageway of Owerri – Okigwe Road and Owerri – Orlu Road, while the construction of five kilometres of roads in the 27 LGAs is at various stages of completion.’
‘The reconstruction of Owerri-Mbaise-Obowo-Umuahia and Orlu–Mgbidi–Akokwa-Uga Road is also ongoing,’ he had said during the unveiling of Ekomaru.
