Imo State gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Samuel Anyanwu has said no level of intimidation from Governor Hope Uzodimma will deter the party from taking over the Douglas House come November 11, 2023.
Anyanwu said this yesterday during the Imo PDP stakeholders meeting to interface with party leaders from the 27 local government areas of the state.
He said “I want to assure you that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I’m fully prepared for the task ahead. All that I need from you is cooperation from a united PDP family. The APC government has turned our state to a theatre of war, bloodshed, and violence. Nobody in Imo can intimidate me and Hon Jones Onyereri. Everybody in the government house today are foreigners and they will all leave”.
Anyanwu regretted that a cursory look into the past of Imo State would bring pain and sadness, seeing that the APC government had turned the state into a theater of afflictions, wanton killings, poverty and oppressive hostages, and promised to bring succour to the people and change the unfortunate circumstances in Imo.
“We are going to win this election, I want you to go home knowing that Jones and I will win, I want to make Imo state safe again. Imo is a state under siege, ballot snatching, violence. The APC is running different propaganda and I urge you to disregard it.
“The allegation that Hope is sponsoring me is an insult, I’m running on my honour. The mandate and trust you have placed upon Rt. Hon. Jones Onyereri, my running mate, and I will yield the desired results. Certainly, the journey will end in praise,” he said.
Further, he appealed to aggrieved members to stealth their swords saying “I sincerely apologise for any wrongdoing and seek sincere reconciliation. Whatever grievance will be addressed.
I love everyone equally and I welcome any suggestions to make Imo state great again. Bury any hatchet, I’m prepared to make any sacrifice for peace. And soon, a committee on reconciliation will be set up”.
Anyanwu disclosed that in the coming weeks, there will be a massive exodus of Labour Party and All Progressives Congress members into the party, saying such persons are disenchanted with their party and want to join the PDP.
State Chairman, Engr Charles Ugwu said the party had undergone trauma following the ouster of then governor, Emeka Ihedioha by a Supreme Court pronouncement which installed someone who didn’t win the election.
Ugwuh, decried the calamities that have befallen democracy and the electoral process in Imo State. According to him, during the 2023 elections, Imo people went through the worst elections in the history of Nigeria.
According to him, the issue among “Nigerians is if the malpractices of the general election in the state are not addressed, it will mark the end of democracy”.
“The impunity and irregularities that characterized the 2023 general elections represent an impudent assault on the right of the people to choose their political leaders through free, fair and competitive polls – a fundamental and distinguishing characteristic of democracy. When this fundamental right is taken away from the people, there is nothing left of democratic process and experience,” Ugwuh lamented.
Further, he warned that if the impunity, collusion with INEC and security agencies, and the violent subversion of popular will as was the case in Imo State should be allowed to become the new template for conducting elections, it would mark the death of democracy in Nigeria.
Ugwuh, however, urged Stakeholders to keep faith with the Party, assuring them that regardless of the challenges facing elections in Imo State, the Party has fielded a competent and capable team that will secure victory for the Party in November.
In attendance during the Stakeholders meeting were members of the State Working Committee (SWC), State Executive Committee (SEC), National and State Assemblies elected on the platform of the Party, former candidates of the party, ward chairmen, and other leaders, who took turns to speak on the readiness of the party to win the forthcoming governorship election.
The high point of the event was the presentation of the governorship candidate, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and his running mate, Rt. Hon. Jones Onyereri (PhD) to the stakeholders by the state chairman, Engr. Ugwuh.
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