Imo PDP, APC disagree over Uzodimma’s stewardship

• Stop Imo gov from taking fresh loans, group tells FG, EFCC
Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration of subjecting the state to bloodshed, looting, starvation and hopelessness through what it described as ‘desperate usurpation.’

State Publicity Secretary of the party, Emenike Nmeregini, made the allegation against the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

But in a swift reaction, Publicity Secretary of APC, Cajetan Duke, said members of the PDP were suffering from mental loss due to their failure to see the good things being done in the state under the Uzodimma’s administration.

“Uzodimma’s regime has abdicated the primary obligation of government as prescribed by the 1999 Constitution, which is the security of life and property.

“Rather, it has politicised the security situation in the state in which countless innocent lives are being lost daily. Today, bandits, terrorists, cannibals, kidnappers and unknown gunmen are almost overrunning the state,” PDP statement reads.

On the state’s debt profile, it said: “As of last year alone, the government borrowed over N59 billion loans from foreign and domestic sources. In 2022, Uzodimma has perfected plans to borrow additional N61 billion.

“When added to the over N103 billion, which has come to the councils from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) under Uzodimma, the N105 billion from FAAC, the N24 billion internally generated and N10 billion from 13 per cent oil derivation, it is heartbreaking that there is nothing in Imo State to show for the funds.”

Among other claims, the PDP also chided the Uzodimma administration over the state’s employment status, stressing: “Our party notes with regrets that within two years, Uzodimma has made Imo the unemployment capital of Nigeria.”

But the APC said it was unfortunate that the PDP and its members have not woken up from their mental inertia, insisting that they are still suffering from the shock and that all Imo people are aware of Uzodimma’s sustained and purposeful governance.

“You judge a man by his words and by his promises. The governor promised he will recover all looted property in Imo State which he has done. The governor has recovered the K. O. Mbadiwe University; showed the political will and capacity to implement the white paper on lands and assets, among other achievements.

“I think the PDP and its members are not blind. They are still playing politics. It is unfortunate. Instead of throwing jabs on the governor, they should commend him for his feat in two years,” it stated.

MEANWHILE, the Concerned Nigerians for the Protection of Human Rights and Rule of Law Initiative has asked the Federal Government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to reject Uzodimma’s fresh loan request.

In a statement issued by its convener, Deji Adeyanju, the group said, Uzodimma has taken too many loans in the pretense of paying local government workers and pensioners, which he never did.