A political group, Imo Progressives Movement (IPM) has declared support for Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State second term bid, saying he is their sole candidate.
National convener and lawmaker representing Oguta/Ohaji-Egbema/Oru West federal constituency at the house of representatives, Hon Eugene Dibiagwu made the disclosure during a press briefing to unveil their preferred candidate in Owerri at the weekend.
Flanked by other members of the group, Dibiagwu said Uzodimma was their preferred choice due to his sterling qualities as governor of Imo state.
He disclosed that the various structures of the IPM in the polling units, communities, wards, local government areas, federal constituencies, senatorial districts, state and the diaspora, are already taking shape ahead of the state-wide inauguration soon, and called on Imo people to stand and be counted as part of the historic movement.
They enjoined Imolites and lovers of the state to join their movement and participate in ensuring that good governance is consolidated in Imo, even as they maintained that the membership of IPM cut across all the political parties, clergy, and civil society organisations.
According to IPM, under Uzodimma, the state had become one of the states in Nigeria with the lowest maternal and infant mortality rates, saying it was the direct outcome of the sound health policies formulated and implemented by the government.
Other reasons for their support include the results of Imo students in WAEC, JAMB for three years running, saying Uzodimma had prioritised education through robust policies.
The IPM commended Uzodimma for the construction of the Owerri-Orlu road which has boosted socio-economic activities between Imo and Anambra state, and the attendant tourist and commercial benefits, as well as the Owerri-Mbaise-Umuahia road.
According to Dibiagwu, the agricultural policy of the Uzodimma-led government, especially the incentives on farming through access to improved seedlings and other inputs to the tune of N5 billion, is a step in the right direction towards raising a new generation of wealthy young Imolites trained as “agriprenuers”, as well as ensuring food security and keeping the wolf of unemployment far away from the state.
Other achievements include the graduation of Medicine graduates at the Imo State University after several years, and the Skill-Up programme to raise tech giants.
He disclosed that the movement had assembled thousands of patriotic Imo citizens and residents, and had constituted them into a formidable political force, so that the dividends of democracy recorded in the state over past three years and seven months are not allowed to be rolled back by the forces of retrogression.
Other executives of the group in attendance were Chief Williams Ejiakor, Collins Opurozor, Greg Nwadike, Frank Nwaete, amongst others.
