Afrigather Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, who was re-elected for the second time period of 4 years has acquired a Certificates of Return alongside along with his working mate, Chinyere Ekomaru from the Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC).
Uzodinma whereas talking on the certificates presentation ceremony attributed the victory to arduous work and technique.
“I’m glad to say that I deserve this victory as a result of I strategized and labored very arduous for it,” the governor mentioned earlier than officers of the INEC and others who turned out of their numbers on the Rockview Lodge Owerri after he had collected his Certificates of Return from the INEC.
Silvia Agu, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Imo State, congratulated Uzodimma and Chinyere Ekomaru for his or her victory on the Saturday, November 11 governorship election within the state. Agu described the election as “typically peaceable,” and lauded all those that contributed in by hook or by crook in making the train well worth the whereas.
Agu who thanked the 18 political events for taking part in by the principles as set within the Electoral Act 2022, particularly appreciated the safety companies, the Civil Society Organisations, the ladies teams, the lads teams, the media, the physically-challenged amongst others, who by way of their completely different engagements with the INEC, helped to make the train free, truthful and credible.
She mentioned the off-cycle election in Imo dropped at an finish the INEC elections in 2023 within the state and warranted of the preparedness of the physique to serve the society creditably at any time when the necessity arises.
After handing over the Certificates of Returns to Governor Uzodinma and Chinyere Ekomaru, the INEC Nationwide Commissioner supervising the South East, Kenneth Ukeagu, thanked Imo individuals for the peaceable conduct of the election and lauded the partnership that existed between the physique and completely different companies in and outdoors the State that helped to make the method hitch-free.
Ukeagu reiterated the independence of INEC and its willingness to deploy know-how to conduct elections for the advantages to the society.
The Governor, in his acceptance speech, had expressed his deep feeling of appreciation to God and Imo individuals, each of who made it doable for him to be re-elected for second and last tenure in workplace.
“Below my watch, Owerri zone will produce the following Governor,” he mentioned and invited those that contested with him to affix him to make Imo State a greater place for all as his victory is the victory of Imo individuals.
Governor acceptance speech reads: “A couple of minutes in the past, I acquired the Certificates of Return from the Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee, INEC, because the duly elected Governor of Imo State for my second and last tenure. I did so with a deep feeling of appreciation and gratitude to God almighty who made all of it doable.
“I congratulate Girl Chinyere Ekomaru, the Deputy Governor-elect of Imo State, who has additionally acquired her Certificates of Return, making her the second feminine deputy governor of Imo State for the reason that creation of our state in 1976.
Learn additionally: Election: Tinubu congratulates Uzodinma, Ododo and Diri
“In my thanks tackle, which I gave shortly after I used to be declared the winner of the election, I acknowledged the contribution of all segments of the Imo society who labored arduous for my victory. I additionally devoted the victory first to God, from whom all powers come. I equally devoted my victory to Imo individuals, together with those that massively voted for me and those that voted for different candidates.
“Let me as soon as extra congratulate the Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee, INEC, for conducting the freest, fairest, and most peaceable election within the historical past of Imo State on November eleventh, 2023. With the help of the safety companies, INEC delivered what has been extensively adjudged a reputable ballot, whose integrity cannot be questioned.
“By upholding the sanctity of our electoral course of, INEC has deepened our democracy with the peace of mind that our votes will all the time rely. I subsequently commend INEC for a job properly performed. I equally commend the safety companies and all those that labored tirelessly to make sure that the election held peacefully all through the 27 native authorities areas of the state.
“I’m conscious that some cynics and naysayers have been surprised by my overwhelming electoral victory, which noticed me receiving the vast majority of the votes forged in all of the 27 native authorities areas of the state. As normal, these critics have been weaving their conspiracy theories with out considering the elements that formed my victory.
“I’m glad to say that I deserve this victory as a result of I strategized and labored very arduous for it. That is the one approach to assure victory in a democratic election, particularly in a state like Imo the place the individuals are largely literate, republican and politically conscious. This implies they’ll separate the wheat from the chaff.
“Having mentioned this, it’s pertinent to focus on two points that I imagine propelled me to a transparent and outright victory. One is my sterling efficiency because the governor within the final 4 years, and the second is the Imo Constitution of Fairness, which prescribes the orderly switch of gubernatorial energy from one senatorial zone to the opposite.
“When individuals communicate of incumbency consider aiding the re-election of a sitting governor, they misconstrue it to be the usage of energy and state assets to confer an unfair benefit to the candidate. For me, that’s not the case. Quite, it means leveraging on one’s efficiency as a advertising device in an election. For instance, Imo individuals will readily attest to the truth that there is no such thing as a neighborhood, no ward, and no native authorities that has not been impacted positively by my authorities.
“Within the space of infrastructure, particularly highway infrastructure, I’ve made the distinction. In all of the sectors of the financial system, our individuals have felt the optimistic impression of my administration. As numerous teams, together with commerce unions, have been endorsing me for re-election some, individuals dismissed it as a political gimmick. However those that endorsed me have walked the speak with their followers.
“The results of their efforts is that this resounding victory. The beneficiaries of our 3R mantra of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Restoration confirmed me appreciation by way of their votes. The identical is true with the 1000’s of youths whom I’ve skilled and empowered. My opponents failed to supply another blueprint for higher achievements than mine, so there is no such thing as a method I couldn’t have gained.
“The second issue, like I discussed, is the Imo Constitution of Fairness, which the Elders Council, conventional and non secular leaders promoted to enthrone peace and order within the switch of energy within the state. Since I’m from Orlu, these leaders endorsed me for a second and last tenure. They made an attraction to Imo folks that solely these from Orlu zone ought to contest the final election.
“As a result of the Constitution doesn’t abridge the constitutional proper of anyone, our brothers from Owerri and Okigwe nonetheless contested. However they have been rejected as a result of they swam towards the tide which the Constitution represents. In different phrases, other than my superlative efficiency, the Constitution performed a key position in my reelection.
“Individuals voted to help the Constitution in order that going ahead, our electoral course of within the state shall be rancour free and cheaper. The primary takeaway from the Constitution of Fairness, going ahead, is that underneath my watch, Owerri Zone will produce the following governor of Imo State in 2027.
“Now that the election is over, I renew my name to my brothers, who contested with me to affix arms with my administration to proceed to supply high quality companies to the individuals of Imo State. My attraction is that we must always put the curiosity of the state and her individuals above our private consideration. There may be nonetheless time for everybody to purchase into the Constitution of Fairness.
“As all the time, I’m dedicated to working an inclusive authorities the place the curiosity of each Imo man and girl shall be accommodated. My want is to go away a legacy of a practice of rancour-free politics that ensures all zones a sensible entitlement to the governorship of the state”.
