LAGOS lawyer and political analyst, Aham Njoku has predicted victory for the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representative and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Emeka Ihedioha at the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Imo State.
 
The lawyer, who spoke to The Guardian on the political development in Imo state, hinged his prediction on what he called records of achievements of the PDP flag-bearer.
 
According to him, Ihedioha has over the years demonstrated leadership in the National Assembly by attracting three major electricity sub-stations to Imo state, which include, one at Ideato in Orlu senatorial zone, one in Okigwe senatorial zone and another in Aboh Mbaise in Owerri Senatorial zone.
 
Apart from being the brain behind several federal roads both completed and under construction in Imo, he said the PDP candidate   also attracted a Jetty at Ngor-Okpala.
 He said: “Ihedioha is the best candidate to govern Imo state. He played key role in attracting three major electricity sub-stations to the state. One is sited in Orlu senatorial zone. Another is in Owerri senatorial zone while the third is in Okigwe senatorial zone. He was instrumental to attracting a Jetty at Ngor-Okpala.

“On the issue of roads, most of the federal roads under construction or undergoing construction either by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) or by the Federal Government itself have his pressure behind them. He has toured 305 wards in the state.

“He has empowered more than 30,000 Imo youths and women. In terms of direct job placements, he has assisted over 7,000 Imo indigenes to get employment in Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies. I often ask this question. If as a legislator he can achieve these feats, can you imagine what he would do when he becomes governor of Imo state”, he queried.

While urging the people of  Imo state to come out enmasse to vote for Emeka Ihedioha on his personal merit, the lawyer said  his antecedent, experience, capacity and integrity  make him a candidate to beat at the forthcoming poll.
 
“His burning zeal to surpass the great achievements of the former governor of the old Imo state Chief Sam Mbakwe and govern Imo state for the prosperity of all is not in doubt.

“Ihedioha has also given about 7,000 jobs to Imo citizens in several federal government ministries, departments and agencies. He has also empowered more than 30,000 women and youths in the past. I can go on and on. Imagine what he would do when he becomes the governor. Happy days are ahead for Imo people,” he added.
 Describing the free education project of the incumbent government in the state, as a fraud, Njoku said the first thing to note is that the free education is only applicable to public schools which have been depleted by handover of schools to missionaries and does not affect private schools which also have a big population of students.
 
Secondly, most of the students in the public schools are lagging behind in Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination of West African Examination Council (WAEC) and in JAMB examination.
 
“In Imo public schools there is a dearth of mathematics and science teachers. Besides, mostof the projects executed under the Universal Basic Education (UBEC) programme of the PDP led federal government have been dubiously appropriated by the state government as their own”, her said  

According to him, Ihedioha would offer free and qualitative education to all Imo students because the one being offered by the incumbent is a sheer deceit.
Let me tell you, Emeka is also considering the payment of bursary to Imo students in higher institutions. He is very passionate about industrialising Imo state and create jobs for thousands of unemployed Imo graduates and youths.

“As we speak, no less than 24 foreign companies from America, Europe and Asia are patiently waiting to come to Imo as soon as Ihedioha becomes the governor. He also intends to revive more than 50 local companies that are moribund. His strategy is to provide electricity to the companies acting in concert with local and foreign electricity companies. He would also create new industrial layouts in Imo State.

“He also wants to build new housing estates, shopping malls, markets and revive the state water corporation to reticulate drinking water to all Imo citizens. He would also build new roads in Owerri and the entire state to ease traffic as well as boost tourism, film production and sports. He intends to create a Security Trust Fund and provide security,” he added.

On Ihedioha’s agenda for the judiciary, Njoku said the PDP governorship standard bearer has a nine-point agenda for the judiciary adding, “the first is that he plans to enhance the welfare of judges, magistrates and judicial staff. He is going to build new courts and rehabilitate the old ones. He is also going to introduce the office of the Public Defender and a functional Coroners Court. He is also going to initiate laws that would aid prison decongestion. He also wants Lawyers to start electronic filing of cases. Lawyers and judges are in for a good time in Imo under Ihedioha. He is a man that loves the rule of law and due process.
 
Also dismissing as a blatant lie, insinuations that the PDP candidate is arrogant, Njoku said  Ihedioha to the contrary, is a man of the people and the ordinary people love him.

“This is a man that is a Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. In fact, he is the most active Deputy Speaker since 1979. He has presided over the House sittings more than any Deputy Speaker before him. He interfaces with the leadership of the House of Representative and the Senate. I mean more than 400 members of parliament in Nigeria.

“He also attends several meetings with the executive and several caucuses of the House and the PDP. One day he came out of one of these meetings to discover that he has had more than two hundred phone calls, sixty seven text messages and sixteen e-mails as at 11pm. People who do not know this would insist that he must pick their calls or call them back personally. He does call back to the best of his ability but when he does not it should not be construed to be arrogance. That is not a fair comment. If you’re in his position you would do the same. Otherwise you will break down completely,”he added.