Johnkennedy Uzoma, Owerri
Imo State Elders Advisory Council has endorsed Chief Ikedi Ohakim, as the only candidate that possesses the qualities of becoming the next governor of the state.
The endorsement of Ohakim came few days after the conclusion of the 2019 governorship submit organised by the elders in the state where seven out of the 70 candidates, vying for the governorship seat were invited to participate.
Presenting the endorsement letter to the former governor, the Chairman of the Council, Chief Ralph Obioha, said that Ohakim, who is contesting on the platform of Accord Party, emerged the chosen one out of the four candidates that actually participated in the exercise.
The governorship candidates that were invited for the submit, according to the chairman, includeed Hon. Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; Sen. Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress, APC; Chief Humphrey Anumudu of Zenith Labour Party; Sen. Ifeanyi Araraume of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA; Chief Okey Eze of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, and Ugwumba Uche Nwosu of Action Allaince, AA.
He said that Chief Ohakim scored 34 votes, while Hon. Ihedioha and Sen. Hope Uzodinma recorded four and three votes, respectively to come second and third. Uche Nwosu of AA candidate scored zero.
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He said that votes cast for the candidates by members of the council after an in-depth considerations of their presentations were anchored on six principal policy measures they would tackle if elected into office, which include prompt conduct of local government elections and autonomy for the third tier government, security of lives and property, adherence to the Imo State Charter of Equity, restoration and enthronement of good governance among others.
The chairman said that having concluded and arisen from their deliberations, the council unanimously resolved to support the candidature of Ohakim as the next governor of the state.
While calling on all Imo people to use every lawful means to campaign for Ohakim, he urged the electorate to massively vote for the candidate in the March 9th election in the state.
In his acceptance speech, Chief Ohakim expressed satisfaction with the action of the elders.
He promised to conduct local government election in the state, six months into his administration, if given the second chance to govern.
