Imo election: Opposition advised to abandon petitions against Uzodimma

From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri

The Imo State Joint Parliament (ISJP), which comprises serving and ex- parliamentarians from the state, has admonished candidates of the main opposition parties, Senators Athan Achonu and Samuel Anyanwu in the 11 November governorship polls, not to waste their resources filing petitions over their defeat, but to support Senator Hope Uzodimma who had won the election for the betterment of the state.

The group which congratulated Governor Hope Uzodimma for well-deserved re-election, appealed to them to sheathe their political swords, noting that somebody will always emerge as the winner in any political contest.

This is just as they have vowed to back any of them who secured their party’s ticket in 2027 governorship election financially and morally.

They also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its dexterity for promptly collating and announcing the winner of the governorship election in record time.

Addressing a press conference at the weekend, the Convener, Hon. Ezediaro Henry Uzoma, called on the main opposition candidates who had lost to Uzodimma to accept defeat.

The statement read in part: “The entire members of Imo State Joint Parliament heartily congratulate our leader and grand patron distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma on his landslide victory.  Your re-election as Executive Governor of Imo State is proof that truly, one good term deserves another.  His victory in all 27 LGAs of the state is eloquent testimony of his good works in all the nooks and crannies of Imo State. We firmly believe Imo people will gain more in terms of dividends of democracy.

“We wish to use this premise to call on Senators Athan Achonu and Samuel Anyanwu of the Labour Party and the People’s Democratic Party, respectively, to congratulate their colleague, Senator Hope Uzodimma on his well deserved re-election victory. As our colleagues, we unequivocally plead with them not to file any petition at the election tribunal as such exercise would be a mere distraction and waste of their resources as well as public funds.

“Rather than distracting their elected colleague, they should join hands with him in delivering dividends of democracy to the good people of Imo state.

It is our firm believe that either the duo or any other parliamentarian who secures ticket of his/ her political party come 2027 would be supported by the forum of Imo State parliamentarians.”