Tension and anxiety, as expected, are growing higher as we walk close to the kick-off of the much anticipated 2023 general election, particularly in the camp of the opposition, who after unsuccessful attempts to unseat Governor Uzodimma through every conventional and unconventional means, decided to take advantage of the 2023 general election to launch a desperate comeback - to - power scheme in the state.
Recall that in 2020, when Governor Hope Uzodimma came to power through the January 14 landmark judgement of the Supreme Court, there was no breathing space for the newly sworn-in governor, as the opposition PDP did everything possible to stifle and discredit his policies and programmes as unveiled even before he set out to work.
Using the advantage of media platforms and goodwill at their very disposal, the embittered opposition set out on an intentional, calculated and unimaginable media war against the new government. There was indeed no honeymoon for the shared prosperity administration of Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma. It was a rough start from day one - no thanks to Imo opposition, led by the People's Democratic Party, PDP.
Like gorilla warfare, an unprecedented army of obviously misinformed and socially disoriented youths were mobilized, armed with android phones and data allowance to unleash onslaughts on the new administration. Our porous and uncensored social media space, could not help matters as it became a veritable platform to discredit, malign, disparage and abuse the person of the governor. In a despicable fashion and manner alien to Imo political culture, the Omuma-born, number one citizen of Imo State was severally accused of having come to enrich himself, family members and cronies through the conversion of public wealth and property into private and personal uses like his immediate predecessor.
Uzodimma, no doubt became the most vilified governor in the history of the state. The opposition did everything within their reach to give the shared prosperity administration a bad image and passed an underserved and premature verdict on it.
When all these landmines and obstacles deliberately orchestrated to frustrate and destabilize the Uzodimma administration through media terrorism could not yield their desired expectations, including but not limited to several sponsored and politically - motivated industrial protests organized and executed under the supervision of a serving state officer of the opposition PDP, they returned to the drawing board ahead of 2023 general election.
In the face of unprovoked distractions, governor Uzodimma have no doubt proved himself as an exceptional public servant, a phenomenal leader and uncommon statesman, dispassionately committed to the business of good governance. As a man not known for frivolities, Governor Uzodimma, has remained focused on his quest to fulfill his social contract with Imolites as encapsulated in the 3R-mantra of Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, espoused by his shared prosperity administration.
With unequalled dedication, Uzodimma has continued to humiliate his traducers with unmatched infrastructural revolution in the state. At the last count, the APC-led administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma has completed and delivered within two years in office, more quality, durable and economically viable road projects than his predecessors, after Dee Sam Mbakwe.
Today in Imo, even the opposition themselves have confirmed and testified that indeed, Uzodimma is working due to the fact that the governor's scorecard is self-evident.
No human being with a living conscience and fear of God, will ply Owerri-Orlu and Owerri- Okigwe roads without giving deserving kudos to Governor Uzodimma. The most dreaded and impassable Ekemele spot along Owerri-Okigwe road that brought Ikeduru Local Government Area (LGA) to national spotlight has been resolved courtesy of Uzodimma's infrastructural revolution.
With verifiable evidence of Uzodimma's footprints in the state within this very short period, Imolites have come to embrace and appreciate his good intentions regardless of opposition machinations.
As the people's governor, Uzodimma, is busy delivering awe-inspiring and captivating dividends of democracy and has remained upright and uncompromising in the discharge of his responsibilities, as no one, including the bitter opposition had accused him of misappropriation, mismanagement or diversion of public fund.
Equally, there is no report of arbitrary appropriation of public property either directly by himself or through proxy within or outside the shores of the state and country.
Unlike his immediate predecessor, Uzodimma has not built or acquired a new house for himself or his family members. Imo State government house is yet to be converted to family business concern and enterprise. His wife, children and immediate family members are not nosing around every nook and cranny of the state looking for available empty piece of land to grab. What a man!
So far, Governor Uzodimma has distinguished himself as a selfless and trustworthy leader, who has overcome petty greed, personal aggradizement, avarice and covetousness long before coming into public office.
The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Imo State chapter will be going into the general election with a superlative and impressive scorecard courtesy of His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, hence the opposition PDP is no doubt in an unimaginable panic mode. What else will they tell Imolites against Uzodimma?
In Imo today, recovery is ongoing with sincerity of purpose; reconstruction is everywhere and rehabilitation is evident, what else is shared prosperity?
*AJETAN DUKE is the State Publicity Secretary, APC, Imo State.