Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has dumped his deputy, Placid Njoku, and opted for a female running mate for the November 11, 2023 governorship election in the state. The governor on Saturday unveiled Lady Chinyere Ihuoma Ekomaru as his running mate, however saying: “The choice of a new running mate does not mean I have issues with the present Deputy Governor Placid Njoku. The development is due to ecumenical and political permutations.”
The Governor spoke at the Landmark Event Centre New Owerri on Saturday at a special stakeholders gathering where he not only presented his running mate. He used the opportunity to refresh the minds of Imo citizens on what his 3-R government, anchored on reconstruction, rehabilitation and recovery has been able to achieve from January 15, 2020 till date.
Governor Uzodimma took time to enumerate what his government has been able to showcase in Imo in the people’s interest and said: “On our part, I can boldly reiterate that we have indeed walked our talks.
“We have kept faith with Imo people on our promises. We have laid the solid foundation for growth in all sectors of the economy and we shall consolidate on them to deliver an industrial, prosperous and safe Imo state in the coming years.”
In Uzodimma’s opening remarks, he welcomed the stakeholders for joining him to unveil his running mate and be part of another four years of history in the making.
He said he was happy to “welcome all of you to this special stakeholders meeting whose main purpose is to introduce our deputy governorship candidate, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru in our consolidation march to build a safer, more functional and more prosperous Imo State.”
He reminded his audience that included party members that his numerous achievements are there to speak for him and his government as another election beckons.
His words: “We have so much to campaign with. Our works speak for us. So today, we are here to reinforce our genuine claim to re-election. I have picked a female deputy governorship candidate in the person of Lady Chinyere Ihuoma Ekomaru. I believe she will add value to this ticket. I expect Imo women to appreciate this gesture as my genuine appreciation of their innate strength and capacity to make contribution to the growth of our state. The stakeholders are aware of why this particular decision was taken because the process of choosing her was all inclusive. I plead with all of us to accept and make peace with it.”
Governor Uzodimma also had kind words for his outgoing Deputy Governor, Prof Placid Njoku and used the opportunity of the gathering to inform the people that he enjoys a good working relationship with him.
“Let me use this opportunity to make it clear that I don’t have any problem with my deputy Governor, Prof Placid Njoku. If anything he is a very loyal and committed partner in progress. My confidence in him has not waned in any way. I want to assure you that he is still very relevant in our political family. His political career is not by any means over. The truth is that as representative of the people, we need to be sensitive to the ecumenical nature of the environment.”
A grateful Prof Njoku corroborated what his principal said by taking a bow before the Governor and acknowledging applause from the audience.
