Imo State Government House Owerri
The Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has called on the political leaders in the state to refrain from playing localized politics without considering the effect in national politics.
Governor Okorocha gave the advice while interacting with stakeholders and political leaders in the state at the government house Owerri.
The state number one citizen who maintained that greater emphasis should be placed on the general interest of the public rather than personal gain in the choice of political leaning, pointed out that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is not the best choice for the South-East as it has systematically made ndi-igbo the minority in the country.
He regretted that the South-East has never had her due share in terms of federal projects and appointments irrespective of her contributions in the PDP, and therefore called on Imo leaders to re-align to the All Progressive Congress (APC) which he said would give ndi-igbo the chances of producing the president of the federal republic of Nigeria. ‘‘if other major tribes have produced the president, why cant ndi-igbo?’’ Okorocha queried.
However Okorocha further appealed to the political leaders to lay emphasis on quality of persons in their choice of governors of the state rather than on the zooming formula. ‘’Let he that can deliver the dividends of democracy rule, irrespective of his zone.’’ He stressed. He noted that it is only a man with great vision that can bring about change and urged Imo leaders to continue to place the state on the path of positive change by allowing the will of the masses to prevail during elections.
The governor used the occasion to call on the leaders to support the Imo Community Government Councils (CGC) which he said would give the grassroot a feel of government as well as promote agriculture especially palm production the state. He attributed the apparent poverty experienced in igbo land today to the neglect of the palm tree and its produce and urged all to embrace palm production for income and wealth creation in the State.
Contributing, the National Organising Secretary of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief Osita Izunaso observed that in the political history of the nation, the South-East Zone has remained the only zone that has continued to move backwards in terms of political positions and urged Imo leaders to reposition to a party that has their interest to heart.
The speaker Imo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Benjamin Uwajimogo said the neglect and lack of federal government presence in the South-East is a clear signal for ndi-igbo to redress their steps and join the move for greater recognition.
Chief Marcellenus Nlemigbo a former chairman of PDP and the convenor of the meeting said it became necessary to keep Imo people abreast of the political marginalization of ndi-igbo in the present dispensation and explain the need to move to a right and better direction. He commended Governor Okorocha for taking the bold step and called on Imo leaders to embrace the change.
Unadike William
For SSA Media
Government House Owerri
25th January, 2014
