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Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has urged the APC leadership in the South East to leverage their authority and sway to champion the welfare of the masses.
Addressing attendees at the APC stakeholders assembly in Owerri, the heart of Imo State, Uzodimma stressed the importance of members renewing their commitment to his leadership and to the party, given his recent appointment as the head of the APC in the area.
The governor, after listening to different leaders in APC from the zone, urged the APC faithful to ‘come together to serve the people of the zone and avoid the pull him down syndrome which is common among politicians.’
He conveyed his appreciation to the conveners of the regional stakeholders’ gathering, characterizing it as both tactical and emblematic.
The governor said that he was delighted over the turnout of the Party members to the meeting, saying it ‘shows new attitude and incremental awareness on the political demands of the zone.’
He commended President Bola Tinubu and the APC national chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, for understanding the South East is a marginalised zone and working with stakeholders to de-marginalise the zone.
The governor said there is only one way to be part of what is happening at the central government is to support Tinubu’s programmes.
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Uzodimma commended the new attitude towards integrating the South East into the national political grid, adding ‘Nigeria is practising partisan democracy, so to win an election and be in position, you must use a Political Party and the Party the South East needs now is All Progressives Congress (APC).’
The governor added, ‘what the South East requires is the support of the bigger zones and for the stakeholders to achieve that, they have to develop the spirit of togetherness, forgive each other to assure the future of our children and generation yet unborn. This requires us to be our brother’s keeper.’
The governor highlighted the future of the APC in the South East, emphasizing the establishment of a Technical Committee. This committee aims to engage with leaders across the five states, fostering reconciliation among party members, and initiating a collective effort to register both existing and new members electronically.
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, represented by Deputy Governor Princess Patricia Onyemaechi Obilar, emphasized the necessity for focus and unity within the APC to combat the marginalization of the zone.
She emphasized the imperative for APC stakeholders in the South East to organize their affairs and foster a spirit of mutual support, affirming the readiness of women to assume leadership roles.
Additionally, she reaffirmed Ebonyi State’s unwavering commitment to backing the APC and its leadership in the South East region.
Representing the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu informed the audience that President Tinubu’s performance, as evidenced by data and statistics, has been commendable regarding his initiatives.
He highlighted the passage of the South East Development Commission Bill as an achievement of South East leaders in the National Assembly and commended the leadership of Uzodimma in the party.
The deputy national chairman (South), Emma Enukwu, who also represented the APC national chairman, Dr. Ganduje, commended the governor of Imo State on his efforts at stabilising APC in the South East and ensuring the zone is integrated into the national political grid.
His statement highlighted the national chairman’s directives regarding the adoption of e-registration for APC members across the nation, coupled with the necessity of establishing party offices in every local government and INEC ward. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of stakeholder reconciliations to foster unity and strengthen the party’s position for upcoming electoral battles.
Enukwu, in his own capacity, conveyed his appreciation, along with that of his fellow members in the National Working Committee, to Governor Uzodimma for his unwavering support to the party.
In their message of appreciation, members of the National Assembly through their spokesperson, Senator Osita Izunaso, and Ministers of the South East extraction through their spokesperson, Dr. Nkeiruka Onyejiocha (Minister for Labour and Employment) also expressed their gratitude to the Governor of Imo State for his leadership role in zone.
Izunaso underlined the fact that APC is the leading Party in the South East today with seven Senators out of 15 Senators from the five States of the South East while Onyejiocha, speaking on behalf of the Ministers from the South East, assured that they will not do any anti-Party activities or disappoint the stakeholders expectations.
In their messages the APC chairmen of the five South East States–Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo – expressed confidence in a brighter future for the party in the zone.
During his inaugural speech, Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, the national vice chairman representing the South East, commended the Party’s progress under their leadership and extended congratulations to Governor Uzodimma on his appointment as the APC Coordinator in the region.
He pointed out that the South East APC has experienced considerable success in enforcing Party discipline and preserving Party authority.
He also extended appreciation to the Governor for his invaluable contributions to the Party’s financial sustenance, while shedding light on the operational shortfall of N65 million annually at the South East zonal executive office, urging for assistance to address this deficit.
Arodiogbu emphasized the APC’s optimism regarding the upcoming off-season election in Anambra in 2025 and highlighted that the zone has finalized preparations to participate in the electronic registration intended for its members.
He proceeded to encourage stakeholders of the zone to maintain unwavering support for the Renewed Hope Agenda of the APC administration and reassured them that President Tinubu’s policies are the correct approach to address the Nigerian economy.
