As the campaigns for the 2023 general election kicks off in earnest, Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, and president/founder of the Omaluegwuoku Progressive Initiative (OPI), Hon Ginika Tor, have begun moves to garner support for presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the South East geopolitical zone.
Specifically, Uzodimma restated his resolve to mobilise the teeming population of Ndigbo across the country for Tinubu in the 2023 polls, while Hon Tor assured that Ndigbo would set aside tribal sentiments to support the APC standard bearer in the interest of Nigeria.
They spoke on Monday during the inauguration of national, zonal and state executives of the OPI and the unveiling of Igbo Kwenu for Asiwagu/Shettima, a brainchild of the organiz’sation at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Abuja.
This is coming after the OPI had toured the six geo-political zones of the country to hold town hall meetings with Igbos opinion leaders and communities in APC with a view to sensitizing and bringing them on board the Asiwaju/Shettima train.
The Imo State governor who was represented by Chief Jimmy Imo described Ginika Tor as a woman of repute with outstanding capacity, stating that he was ready to give his unflinching support to Tinubu.
Noting that the former Lagos governor is a man with an unbeatable leadership record, Uzodinma said he would leave no stone unturned in mobilizing Ndigbo for Tinubu in the 2023 poll.
On her part, Ginika Tor, a federal commissioner at the federal character commission (FCC), said her group would set aside tribal sentiments by supporting Tinubu in the best interest of Nigeria.
She stated: “Ndigbo will vote wisely this time considering their experience in the past years, where they constantly gave their votes to PDP only to be betrayed at the end. You can recall the statement of our candidate, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he said that he is not a parrot but an eagle, and so we decided to honour persons that have demonstrated the strength of an eagle in our political spheres.”
Also, the guest speaker, Sen Binta Masi Garba, reminded the Igbos that she was once married to them and would advise that they make the right decision and vote massively for a man who has done it before and will sure do it again.
The special guest of honou and , APC national women leader, Dr Betta Edu, noted that Igbos are a critical section of the country that has contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria, adding that Tinubu has always worked with the Igbos and will do more to stabilize the and develop the region.
A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly and the co-deputy national coordinator of Igbo Kwenu 4 Asiwaju described Tinubu as a detribalised Nigeria who stop at nothing in empowering Ndigbo if voted into power.
Among the ABAT Africa Eagles awardees at the event were Uzodinma, Barr. Chioma Uzodinma, Sen. Oluremi Bola Tinubu, Sen. Binta Masi Garba, Dr. Betta Edu, Chief Felix Idiga, Hon. Dayo Isreal, Hon. Imaan Suleiman, Sen. Sabi Abdullahi, Mrs. Dayo Benjamin Laniyi, Barr. Festus Keyamo, Gbazuagu Nweke Gbazuagu GNG and Dr. Lee Akin Badeji.
The patrons, including Hon. Kayode Bawa-Allah, Hon. Moses Anaughe, Hon. Ogbologho, Hon. Ben Nwoye, Engr. Jennifer Uzor, Barr. Bisi Idaomi, Hon. Jennifer Oguzie and all the awardees, were also decorated.