By Dr Austin Uganwa
\nLast Saturday President Goodluck Jonathan embarked on what seemed like a
\ntriumphant entry into Owerri , Imo state capital for a grand political
\nrally. The rally was organized principally for him to flag off the
\nPeople\u2019s Democratic Party (PDP) campaigns ahead of the 2015 General
\nElections. The event was profound and symbolic amid trappings of wide
\nranging endorsement by the people.
\nBy 11 am, sea of heads had streamed into Dan Anyiam stadium, venue of the
\nevent and the place was accordingly boisterous. They exuded unprecedented
\nexcitement and contentment even after waiting hours for the arrival of the
\nPresident who came to Imo from neigbouring Anambra state. It was an
\neloquent show of solidarity which Imo people demonstrated to President
\nGoodluck Jonathan who came to seek their support for his re-election bid
\nAs he disembarked from his official vehicle and sauntered into the waiting
\ncrowd at past 4 pm the enthusiastic Imo people surged towards him. They
\nfollowed him as he moved briskly round to exchange greetings with some
\npolitical leaders in the state. Jonathan exuded strikingly pleasant mien
\ncutting a picture of one at home with his people and supporters.
\nHis wife, Dame Patience Jonathan who addressed the crowd in persuasive
\nIgbo language drove the point intrinsically home. In her rising and
\nfalling melodic voice, she gave Imo people several reasons why they
\nshould endorse her husband, in so doing, voting massively for him
\nduring the presidential election.
\nIn attendance, comportment, instantly recognizable warmth and incomparable
\nbut amazing reception, Imolites clearly and collectively made an
\nunmistakable statement . The statement being that President Goodluck
\nJonathan is their own and therefore seen by them as sole presidential
\ncandidate. To them any other presidential hopeful seeking their support is
\nwasting time
\nImolites were largely gratified when President Jonathan identified some
\nof his legacies in the state and the country at large. These include; the
\ndualization of Owerri-Aba Road; rehabilitation of Owerri- Portharcourt
\nRoad; building of Integrated Power Plant; construction of second Niger
\nBridge; education reform and establishment of additional 12 Federal
\nUniversities and several others. On several occasions during the rally the
\npeople evidently and accordingly demonstrated their collective willingness
\nfor him to stay on for another four years to consolidate the gains of his
\nlegacies
\nThe rally was indicative that Imo in harmony is still a PDP state in spite
\nof the interference of the APC government. In the face of this
\nrealization, the over 95 percent votes which Imo people bequeathed
\nPresident Jonathan in 2011 would be repeated this year and even in greater
\nproportion
\nIt is also obvious that Imo people are set to vote out Governor Rochas
\nOkorocha, known by many Imo people as \u2018Aboki\u2019 in the Douglas House in
\nOwerri, in preference to a more credible, visionary leader, the PDP flag
\nbearer, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives
\nSince May 29, 2011 Okorocha emerged as Governor of Imo he has run the most
\ndeceitful government ever known in history. Looting of public fund has
\nbeen done with reckless abandon. Public funds are managed without recourse
\nto fiscal discipline, while contracts are awarded arbitrarily, mindless of
\ndue process. Most contracts unfortunately are abandoned due to inability
\nof Okorocha\u2019s government to pay contractors
\nLocal government system, the third tier of government has deliberately
\nbeen destroyed completely paving way for him to corner the over N2.3b
\nmonthly allocation to the 27 local councils in the state
\nHe has run the most lawless government and organized a phantom, fraudulent
\ncriminal charge against his former deputy, Jude Agbaso to get rid of him
\nso as to run away from an agreement he reached with him
\nHe acquires lands in the state and companies owned by the government for
\nhim and family members. His so-called free education has ruined both the
\nschool system in the state and Imo state University. Standard of education
\nin Imo is on a free fall with the state ranking as one of the worst
\nperforming states
\nNow Imo people are coming together to say enough of Okorocha\u2019s bad
\ngovernance. This is demonstrable in the manner they rallied round
\nPresident and the in-coming Governor, Hon Ihedioha during the campaign
\nflag-off
\nThe process towards reclaiming Imo from bad governance of Okorocha\u2019s
\ngovernment has begun. The PDP guber candidate, Hon Ihedioha has been
\nrolling out his manifestoes on how to rebuild Imo and restore sanity in
\nthe state when elected. It is therefore imperative for Imo people to as
\nusual make history by making the right political choice
\nDr Uganwa, wrote in from Owerri, Imo state<\/p>\n
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