By Chuks Uzochukwu
Former Deputy Governor of Imo State, Sir Jude Agbaso has predicted that the forthcoming governorship election in the state would be the freest, fairest and most credible exercise in the history of the state.
He stated that all the critical stakeholders involved in the electioneering process including the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and the security agencies, "are aware of their expectations, having realised their shortfalls in the previous exercise, and are poised to get things right."
Speaking to newsmen in Owerri recently, the Owerri born astute politician noted that among all the candidates for the election, Uzodinma stood better chance of emerging victorious based on his antecedents and capacity to offer quality leadership services and in solving pressing problems of the state.
According to him, Governor Uzodinma has proven that he has good vision and genuine concern for the general good of the people, going by his "life changing achievements" in his first three and half years in office.
He added that the governor unlike the other contenders in the election, "has been tested and can be trusted with another mandate to continue his good works as can be seen in roads infrastructure, education and health sectors among others."
Agbaso insisted that aside deserving a second term, the incumbent Imo governor will overwhelmingly defeat his opponents in a free, fair and transparent exercise.
He also urged Imo citizens especially the electorate to rally their support behind Governor Uzodinma, stressing that his eventual re-emergence will guarantee better days for the people and the state at large.
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Asked to assess the strength and chances of Uzodinma's opponents in the forthcoming poll, he said, "earlier, I have told you that I have fair knowledge and understanding of the persons or the gladiators in the arena of the gubernatorial contest in Imo State.
"I told you that I know the incumbent governor. I told you that Athan Achonu is a long standing associate. I mean the candidate of Labour Party. And that I have interfaced severally in government with Samdaddy of the PDP and that the candidate of APGA, Anthony Ejiogu is a young brother for all intent and purposes.
"So when I speak of them, I speak with some level of surety. I understand a little bit of their individual characters and capacities. And putting all that in prospective, the chances they stand in the election that is forthcoming."
"I have figured all these; their name; face recognitions in Imo State; their perceived capacity to deliver in terms of solving the problems on ground in Imo State - our economy, our security situation, our infrastructure and even our psychic infrastructure.
"Also in terms of our education, our health sector, the common good of the people, the welfare of the people. And putting all these into consideration; the track records and proven capacity of the incumbent governor, Distinguished Sen. Hope Uzodinma makes the best choices for the people.
He continued, "Take for instance, the PDP candidate, Samdaddy. How has he been able to manage the fortunes of his party? Suddenly he has found himself in all important position as the National Secretary of PDP and eventually became the arrow head of his political party in Imo state.
"And under his watch, a political party which is the microcosm of the Imo society is falling apart. Now a person who could not manage a political party, how can he manage a whole entity like Imo State? That is a direct failure.
"I have nothing against him as a person but you must compare oranges to oranges, apples to apples. And you must say what you have done and the result and the effect. What is one's propensity for patriotism? How has it been expressed in the past?"
"And you can not ignore a man with track records. I give you another example. Take for instance, the incumbent governor. In fact, you will consider him as the man in the eye of the storm.
"If there is somebody that should fail in my ratings, he should fail because he is the man you have the most to judge him by because he is pushing the Apple Cat at the moment. And you have seen what he has done in critical sectors like education and health."
He further said, "suddenly, Imo State is on the map of Nigeria by his attraction of federal presence. The Federal Medical Center, some months ago became the Federal University of Technology Teaching Hospital. And today they are conducting entrances via JAMB and UMTE to assess the next medical students they will be training. All courtesy of the work of one man.
"And you look at other institutions - Polytechnics, Colleges of Education, Nursing Schools. Look at the Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education attaining a University status. Health Centres across the state are being renovated. Some new ones are being built. For instance, new General Hospitals are being built at Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta and Oru East. They are being equipped. They are being staffed. And quietly, the people of Imo State are receiving attention and mortality rate is dropping and goodness is spreading."
"I do not need to talk about his achievements in roads infrastructure. That would amount to flogging a dead horse because everyone can attest to the fact that Governor Uzodinma has done what even Napoleon could not do in that regard.
"The quality construction of Owerri-Okigwe and Owerri-Orlu Express Road and the massive ongoing work on Owerri-Umuahia Express Road are all testaments of what Imolites should expect in years to come under Uzodinma as our Governor. So I think that all Imo citizens should support and give him another mandate to continue his good works in the State." he added.
